Americans now view Trump more “warmly” than after previous elections, poll says

More Americans now rate Donald Trump warm than they did after the 2016 or 2020 elections, despite the president-elect’s numerous scandals, including four indictments and two impeachments.

Following a contentious presidential election cycle, about 43 percent of people said they felt “very warm” or “warm” toward the president-elect, according to a new poll from the Pew Research Center.

That’s up seven percentage points from the 2016 election, when Trump unexpectedly defeated Hillary Clinton. It’s also up nine percentage points from the 2020 presidential election, when Trump refused to concede to President Joe Biden and spread false claims of widespread voter fraud in an attempt to overturn the election results.

Even though Trump faces federal criminal charges for allegedly trying to overturn the election results and accusations that he incited the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, many Americans appear to have forgiven the president-elect.

The poll found that even Democratic or Democratic-leaning voters have slightly warmer feelings toward Trump. In November, nine percent of voters surveyed said they had a “very warm” or “warm” view of the president-elect. In 2020 it was five percent, and in 2016 it was eight percent.

Trump also boosted his image among Republican or Republican-leaning voters, with 78 percent reporting they view him warmly.

This is partly due to higher “good behavior” ratings during this election cycle compared to the 2020 election.

Pew Research’s findings largely reflect the outcome of the election, which shifted much of the country to the right. Trump won both the popular vote and the popular vote, and in all seven swing states.

Despite warmer feelings toward Trump, most Americans don’t believe he can successfully unite the country. Only 41 percent are confident in the president-elect’s ability to do so.

“Republicans are now much more likely to feel hopeful and proud, while the share of Democrats who feel hopeful has fallen sharply,” the Pew report said.

Meanwhile, 42 percent of Americans think Trump is honest, and 37 percent describe him as “balanced.” Only 34 percent think he is a good role model.

Still, Americans’ confidence in Trump’s ability to steer the economy in the right direction, fight immigration and approach foreign policy at a time of heightened tension is what ultimately won over voters.