The fact that similar percentages of Americans say they have more confidence in Trump in the days after his election as did so for Bush and Clinton is notable, given that Trump is much less popular as president-elect than they were. Trump’s favorable rating measured 42% in the Nov. 9-13 survey, compared with Bush’s 59% and Clinton’s 58% after they were elected.
The difference between the 1992 and 2000 situations and today’s is that a higher percentage of Americans say Trump’s statements and actions over the past few days have made them “less confident” in his ability to serve as president than in those previous elections. Forty percent of Americans say they are “less confident” in Trump, as opposed to 28% for Bush in 2000 and 26% for Clinton in 1992. Fewer Americans say they have “no opinion” or say Trump’s actions and statements make “no difference” than was the case for the two former presidents.
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