WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the aftermath of the contentious 2024 U.S. presidential election, large majorities of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents describe their reaction to Donald Trump’s victory as optimistic (86%), relieved (85%), excited (76%) and proud (72%). In contrast, majorities of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents report feeling afraid (76%), angry (68%) and devastated (61%) about the election’s result.
Democrats are more than twice as likely as Republicans to say they are surprised by the election outcome (59% vs. 27%, respectively).
Very few Democrats express any positive emotions, and very few Republicans express any negative ones.
Overall, no more than half of U.S. adults describe their reaction to the election using any of the eight emotions included in the Gallup survey, which was conducted Nov. 6-20, 2024, the two-week period after Trump’s victory. Fifty percent of U.S. adults say they are optimistic about the election results, and between 40% and 46% are relieved, excited or proud. Fewer, 29% to 38% of Americans, report feeling afraid, angry or devastated.
Gallup asked most of these items after Trump’s unexpected victory in 2016. The biggest difference in emotions between 2016 and now is in the percentage saying they are surprised. In 2016, 75% of U.S. adults were surprised, compared with 41% today. Meanwhile, there are slightly more Americans now than in 2016 saying they are proud or excited. This year’s readings for relief, devastation, fear and anger are not statistically different from those in 2016, and optimism was not included in the 2016 list.
Both Democrats and Republicans are now less surprised with the election outcome than they were in 2016, but surprise has fallen more among Republicans (by 37 percentage points) than Democrats (29 points). Meanwhile, the increases in pride and excitement are owed to more Republicans expressing those emotions compared with 2016.
Most Americans Will Accept Trump as Legitimate President
More than nine in 10 Americans say they will accept Trump as the legitimate president, including 99% of Republicans and Republican leaners and 84% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. Gallup last asked this question after Trump’s surprise 2016 victory, in which he won the Electoral College but not the popular vote. At that time, fewer Americans (84%) and Democrats (77%) said they would accept Trump than do so now.
This question was not asked after the 2020 election, when Joe Biden won the Electoral College and popular vote but Trump disputed the outcome and fought certification of the vote. Prior to 2016, Gallup asked this question in 2000 when George W. Bush won the Electoral College after legal battles over the Florida vote count. The Supreme Court ultimately decided in Bush’s favor over Al Gore, who had won the popular vote. The 2000 reading on this measure was similar to 2016, although fewer Democrats then (70%) viewed Bush as the legitimate winner.
Trump Now Viewed More Favorably Than Harris and Biden
Trump’s favorable rating has edged up four points to 48% since the latter half of October, while an equal 48% of Americans view him unfavorably. In contrast, Kamala Harris’ favorability has fallen seven points over the same period, to 42%, and 53% of Americans rate her unfavorably. Both presidential candidates enjoy similar favorable ratings from their party faithful and independents who lean toward their party.
President Joe Biden’s favorable rating has also edged down slightly, from 43% to 40%, since his final preelection reading. His rating among Democrats and Democratic leaners remains lower than Harris’.
Trump’s current favorable rating is just one point shy of his record high since 2016, measured near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
Republican Party Viewed More Favorably Than Democratic Party After Election
Although Trump’s favorable rating has improved slightly since the GOP won control of the presidency, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, the Republican Party's favorability is unchanged at 44%. At the same time, Americans’ favorable rating of the Democratic Party has edged down five points to 38% since Gallup’s final preelection reading in October.
The Republican Party’s current rating matches its average dating back to 1992, while the Democratic Party’s latest favorable rating is 11 points below its average.
Roughly equal shares of Democrats and Democratic leaners (74%) and Republicans and Republican leaners (78%) view their own party favorably, but Democrats’ rating of their own party has dropped seven points since late October.
Bottom Line
Trump’s reelection is being met with great optimism, relief, excitement and pride from Republicans but fear, anger, devastation and surprise among Democrats. Still, Democrats broadly accept Trump as the legitimate president, even more so than in 2016 when he defeated Hillary Clinton. After the Republican Party’s sweep of the presidency and both chambers of Congress, Americans now view the GOP more favorably than the Democratic Party. However, the gap in favorability stems from a drop in favorable views of the Democratic Party in November rather than an increase in favorable views of the GOP following its victories.
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