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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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What's New
New polling released Tuesday showed President-elect Donald Trump's approval rating had surged since Election Day, while opposition voices had largely "melted away."
The analysis for Newsweek by Impact Social showed swing voter sentiment toward the Republican had swung in his favor by 17 points since November 5.
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Why It Matters
Despite a close result, the boost in popularity for the incoming President could ease the pathway for implementing policies he has promised, from cutting federal red tape to the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.
Since Election Day, Trump's Cabinet nomination announcements have polarized some voters and lawmakers, but the analysis suggested opposition voices were not loud enough to make an impact.
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What To Know
When Impact Social carried out an analysis of over 40,000 swing voters a year ago, those responding were pessimistic about President Joe Biden's record, including on immigration, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and inflation.
On the thought of a second Trump White House, the same group was worried about a potential abuse of power toward his political enemies after threats that he would seek retribution should he be elected again.
The latest analysis, carried out between November 22 and December 6, showed a 17-point jump in net sentiment since the election, put partly down to the level of positive conversation around him, while negativity has fallen by 18 points.
Phil Snape of Impact Social attributed this shift to the "absence of strong opposition," which has allowed Trump to launch his agenda without much pushback. The analyst warned that Trump could undo his progress with swing voters if he does mobilize the federal government to prosecute his opponents.
Current White House resident Biden is heading into his final days in office with a 37 percent approval rating, compared with an average of 53 percent for other presidents in the final months of their term, according to Gallup.
What People Are Saying
Phil Snape of Impact Social said: "This moment is as much a test for the Republican Party as it is for Trump himself. If Trump abuses his power, the GOP risks being seen not as bystanders, but as facilitators of America's democratic slide. The consequences would be profound—not only for the party, but for the country. If Republicans hope to grow beyond 2028, they must act now."
Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said: "The American people reelected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver."
What Happens Next
Snape suggested that the GOP will need to rein in Trump's impulses during his second term so they do not overshadow any policy progress.
The President-elect, meanwhile, will be getting ready for Inauguration Day, after which he plans to enact numerous executive orders ranging from border security to dismantling parts of the federal government.
For a copy of Impact Social's full report, please click here.
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