Coming to Terms

Public opinion on the Trump presidency

Despite his best efforts to delay the inevitable, Donald Trump’s tumultuous presidency came to an end on Jan. 20 at noon with the swearing-in of Joe Biden as the 46th president. His were four years that will not soon be forgotten. GOP Senator Lindsey Graham likely summed it up best in a speech the night of the insurrection two weeks ago, calling Trump a “consequential president,” perhaps the only thing those that love him and those that hate him can agree on. In the run-up to his shocking 2016 win, Trump tapped into the anxieties of many Americans and sparked a mighty populist movement, “Trumpism,” whose support never wavered during his presidency. In-office, his controversial policies and rhetoric on everything from the border wall to race relations fueled American tribalism and an unprecedented two impeachments.

Unpacking and measuring the ripple effects of the Trump presidency will occupy historians for years to come. Many books will be written, panels held, and likely TV miniseries produced covering the “consequential” four years. But have they changed the fabric of America, for good or bad? In his inaugural speech, President Biden emphasized his mission statement: a return to normalcy. The question looming over his first term, though, is if America can ever go back to the way things were before Trump. For more insight, we asked respondents to look back on the Trump presidency and make predictions for how it will shape the coming years. Here are the three biggest takeaways:

The New Normal

Trump may be out of the White House, but 70% of Americans say “Trumpism” is here to stay as a major political force, an opinion shared by a majority of respondents of all political stripes. The banner has already been picked up by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., as well as Republican senators like Josh Hawley of Missouri and media personalities like Tucker Carlson, all possible contenders for the Republican nomination in 2024. A majority of Americans (55%) also believe that America has made a turn for the worse due to Trump’s presidency, though respondents were (predictably) sharply split by political affiliation — 74% Democrats, 35% GOP and 57% of Independents. Only 11% of those polled said America will be the same as it was before.

A Four-Year Rollercoaster

A lot can happen over the course of one presidential term, and Trump’s was no exception. In his first year, he exited the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and signed a sweeping tax cut bill. In his second, he nominated the first of three Supreme Court justices he would appoint during his term. In his third, he was impeached for the first time and the Mueller report was published. To close it out, he sowed doubt about the results of the election and incited an insurrection that led to his second impeachment. “Consequential,” indeed. Here are the events respondents voted as the highs and lows of the Trump presidency, broken down by political affiliation.

Trump’s handling of the economy — particularly cutting taxes and pulling out of trade deals — had the highest average approval across the board while Independents and Republicans were also pleased with his three appointments to the Supreme Court, which now leans solidly conservative.

Takeaway

A clear majority of respondents of all political parties agree that Trump ended his presidency with an F for Fumbling both the COVID-19 response and the peaceful transition of power to the next president.

by Landry Harlan