A majority (67%) of voters think the country is on the wrong track, while 33% think the U.S. is headed in the right direction. This compares to the beginning of the Biden term when 54% thought the country was on the wrong track and 46% thought the country was headed in the right direction.

All political parties consider the country on the wrong track heading into 2025: 62% of Democrats, 70% of Republicans, and 69% of independents.

Fifty-two percent of voters have a favorable view of President-elect Donald Trump, while 42% hold an unfavorable opinion of him. Outgoing President Joe Biden has a favorable rating of 41%, with 51% viewing him unfavorably.

The late President Jimmy Carter remains well-regarded by voters, with 59% expressing a favorable opinion of him and 16% holding an unfavorable view.

Fifty percent of voters think flags should stay at half-mast to honor President Carter, while 35% thought they should be raised to full-mast for Trump’s inauguration.

Following the sentencing of Trump for being convicted of falsifying business records, a majority of voters (55%) think Donald Trump’s criminal trial was appropriate to hold Trump accountable, while 45% said the trial was a political witch hunt.

Regarding the recent debate over whether the United States should add more states or territories, or remain as is, 67% support keeping the US as is, while 20% think it should. Thirteen percent are neutral.

A plurality (44%) of voters support the federal government’s blocking of the takeover of US Steel by Nippon Steel, while 19% oppose the decision and 37% are unsure.

Among those following the wildfires in California somewhat or very closely, 30% approve of how Governor Newsom has been handling the response, 42% disapprove, and 28% are neutral.

“The Governor’s approval highlights sharp partisan divides in the perception of response: 61% of Republicans and 43% of independents disapprove of Governor Newsom’s response to the wildfires while 49% of Democrats approve.”

A majority of voters (58%) think climate change has contributed to the wildfires, while 42% think it has not.

“Young voters are most likely to believe climate change has contributed to the wildfires in California, at 74% among voters under 30, compared to 70% of those in their 30s, 61% in their 40s, 48% of those in their 50s, and increasing back to 53% of voters 70 and older.”

• 85% of Democrats and 54% of independents think climate change has contributed to recent wildfires, while 64% of Republicans do not think climate change has contributed to the wildfires.
• 64% of women think climate change contributed, compared to 52% of men.

Voters were asked if they think the President-elect’s cabinet picks represent real change or are a continuation of more of the same in Washington. Forty-five percent think it represents real change and 37% think it is more of the same.

A majority of voters (57%) are concerned over potential conflicts of interest for Trump’s cabinet picks, while 37% are not concerned.