Recent polling by the Pew Research Center reveals a shift in the outlook of Democrats following the 2024 elections. The survey conducted from November 12-17 indicates that only 51% of Democrats and independents leaning towards the party express optimism about its future, while 49% feel pessimistic. This marks a significant increase in pessimism compared to previous years, with only 38% feeling this way after Trump's 2016 victory and 17% after Biden's win in 2020.
On the other hand, Republican optimism has surged, with 86% of GOP-aligned adults feeling positive about the party's future. This optimism has been consistent over the years, with 8 in 10 Republicans expressing positivity after various election outcomes.
Notably, younger Democrats are more pessimistic about the party's future, with 55% of those under 50 holding a negative view compared to 39% among older party members.
Overall, the survey indicates that more Americans believe the Republican Party represents their interests well compared to the Democratic Party. This sentiment has seen an 11-percentage point increase for the GOP since July 2023.
Regarding President-elect Donald Trump, public opinion remains divided. While 53% approve of his policies and plans for the future, fewer express confidence in his personal characteristics such as caring about ordinary people or being honest.
Despite positive ratings on economic policy decisions, Trump's overall approval is mixed, with only 41% believing he can bring the country closer together.
Feelings about Trump's election victory vary, with 50% expressing positive sentiments, including excitement and relief, while others feel disappointed or angry.
Republican-aligned adults overwhelmingly rate Trump warmly, while Democratic-aligned adults hold significantly lower warmth ratings towards the president-elect.
Lastly, there has been a shift in public perception of Trump's ideology, with a majority now viewing his views as conservative on most or all issues.
The Pew Research Center poll surveyed 9,609 US adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.
