Americans are feeling more confident about the country’s direction than they have in two decades, with President Trump achieving his highest-ever approval rating according to a recent NBC News poll.
Top Takeaways
- 44% of Americans believe the country is on the right track – the highest percentage since George W. Bush’s presidency and a 17-point jump since Trump’s reelection
- President Trump’s approval rating reached an all-time high of 47%, with particularly strong support (55%) for his handling of border security
- The Democratic Party’s favorability hit a record low of 27% among registered voters
- Despite overall positive momentum, Americans remain divided on economic policies with 54% disapproving of Trump’s economic approach
- Border security and immigration rank as Trump’s strongest policy areas with 56% viewing his actions positively
Surging National Optimism Under Trump
The latest NBC News poll reveals a significant shift in American sentiment about the nation’s trajectory. The percentage of Americans who believe the country is heading in the right direction has surged to 44%, marking a 20-year high and the most positive outlook since George W. Bush’s presidency. This represents a dramatic 17-point increase since President Trump’s reelection, though 54% still believe the country is on the wrong track. The substantial improvement in this key metric indicates growing confidence in the administration’s direction despite persistent partisan divides.
Similar trends appear in the RealClearPolitics average poll, which shows a 28-point improvement in national sentiment since Trump returned to office. This level of optimism hasn’t been recorded in polling data for two decades, suggesting Trump’s policies are resonating with a significant portion of the electorate. The president currently holds a 48.2% average approval rating according to RealClearPolitics, reflecting his strongest position since taking office.
President Trump's approval rating: All-time highs.
The Democratic Party's approval rating: All-time lows.
Oh, and Americans are more optimistic about the direction of the country than at any point since 2004.
Any questions? pic.twitter.com/J0S4WDUmkr
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) March 16, 2025
Border Security Leads Trump’s Policy Successes
President Trump’s handling of border security and immigration stands out as his most popular policy area. The NBC News poll shows 55% of Americans approve of his approach to these issues, with a majority viewing his border actions positively. This strong backing aligns with Trump’s campaign focus on immigration reform and border control. The administration’s decisive stance appears to be winning over voters concerned about national security and the economic impacts of illegal immigration.
Beyond immigration, the president receives favorable ratings on multiple fronts. The poll indicates 47% approve of Trump’s government spending cuts, while his approach to the Ukraine war and NATO relations also receives more support than opposition. Additionally, 41% of respondents back his trade policy changes despite recent market volatility, with a plurality believing he’s bringing “the right kind of change” on trade policy and tariffs.
Economic Challenges Amid Growing Optimism
Despite the overall positive sentiment, President Trump faces challenges on economic matters. For the first time in NBC’s polling, a majority (54%) disapprove of his handling of the economy, with only 44% expressing approval. This represents a potential vulnerability for an administration that has consistently emphasized economic strength. However, there are promising signs regarding inflation, with 40% of Americans believing Trump’s policies are positively affecting inflation rates compared to 30% who see a negative impact.
Perceived improvements in everyday economic indicators appear to be influencing the rising optimism. Americans report noticing positive shifts in inflation, gas prices, and mortgage rates. These kitchen-table improvements likely contribute to the growing sense that the country is moving in a positive direction, even as formal economic approval metrics lag behind other policy areas. The administration’s energy policies are particularly cited as driving practical benefits for average citizens.
Democratic Party Reaches Historic Low
As Trump’s approval climbs, the Democratic Party faces significant challenges. The poll shows Democratic favorability at a record low, with only 27% of registered voters viewing the party positively. This represents the party’s worst performance in recent polling history. A separate CNN poll revealed similarly concerning numbers for Democrats, with just 29% of Americans holding a favorable opinion while 54% disapprove. These figures suggest serious headwinds for the opposition as they attempt to counter the administration’s agenda.
Internal Democratic conflict has further complicated the party’s standing. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently faced criticism from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after supporting a Republican spending bill. Schumer defended his decision by stating, “I believe that allowing Donald Trump to take even more power via a government shutdown is a far worse option.” Pelosi responded by calling the compromise “unacceptable,” highlighting deepening divisions within Democratic leadership ranks as they grapple with their minority status.
President Trump enjoys overwhelming support from his base, with 90% approval among Republicans. This contrasts sharply with just 4% approval among Democrats, marking the largest partisan gap in 80 years. As President Trump continues to carry out his agenda, time will tell if he can maintain record high approval or if the current polls are still reflective of a honeymoon period for the administration.
