Gallup polls Americans on Trump, Congress, and the most important problems facing the nation
President Donald Trump walks off stage after a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
NewsWorks Tonight host Dave Heller sits down for his weekly conversation with Gallup’s Frank Newport to talk about trends in U.S. opinion.
Asking about President Donald Trump’s qualities and characteristics, the poll found respondents give the new president credit for keeping his promises. More than a third of Democrats polled agreed with that assessment.
A majority of Americans also say he is a strong and decisive leader and can bring about changes. Trump does not do as well, however, in terms of being seen as honest, trustworthy and inspiring confidence.
Approval of the job Congress is doing had been lackluster before the election. With Trump in office, however, Republicans’ approval of Congress shot up to 50 percent while Democrats’ support slipped to 19 percent.
Overall approval of Congress now is 28 percent, the highest since 2009.
Dissatisfaction with government — including the U.S. government and Trump — and the lack of unity in the country have soared to the top of the list as the most important problems facing the nation. Mentions of the economy have fallen to the lowest in nine years as people have become more satisfied with the U.S. financial picture.
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