A new national poll conducted by Cygnal (December 9-11) reveals that voters are optimistic about President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, with strong backing for his agenda, including mass deportations and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The poll surveyed 1,500 likely general election voters and has a margin of error of ±2.52%.
“President-elect Trump is riding new all-time highs as he charges forward on an aggressive transition and agenda,” said Pollster and Cygnal President, Brent Buchanan. “Not only are voters optimistic about his second term but they also remain supportive of mass deportations to fix America’s illegal immigration crisis and overwhelmingly support Trump’s DOGE initiative lead by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Republican optimism and enthusiasm are soaring while Democrats and Kamala Harris continue to see declines in their images among the American people further proving Trump’s mandate to lead is firmly cemented in the electorate ahead of the holidays and Inauguration Day.”
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The poll highlights growing confidence in Trump’s leadership, with 46% of voters believing he will perform better in his second term. Economic issues dominate voter concerns, with 40% identifying stopping inflation and reducing the cost of living as the incoming administration’s top priority.
First-time voters in 2024 showed a +10 net optimism about the country’s direction, suggesting strong support for Trump among younger and newly engaged voters.
One of Trump’s key initiatives, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has gained significant traction. 60% of voters support DOGE’s mission to eliminate $2 trillion in federal government waste, fraud, and abuse. Support is particularly strong among men, while women voters are more divided but still lean toward favorability.
Economic challenges remain the top concern for voters, with 32% prioritizing inflation and the economy. Other key issues include:
- Illegal immigration: 21%
- Threats to democracy: 12%
- Healthcare: 8%
- Social Security and Medicare: 7%
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Traditional Democratic-leaning issues have seen a decline in importance following the presidential campaign.
The poll revealed 56% of voters support mass deportations of individuals in the U.S. illegally, while 40% oppose the policy. This marks a significant endorsement of Trump’s immigration platform heading into his second term.
Among Trump’s surrogates, Elon Musk emerged as the most effective, with 47% of voters recognizing his impact. Other notable surrogates include Joe Rogan and RFK Jr., tied at 22% each. By contrast, surrogates for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were viewed as far less effective, with Taylor Swift the only one surpassing 20%, while 55% of voters said none were effective.
The poll indicates a 3-point shift toward Republicans on the generic congressional ballot compared to 2024, driven by increased support from men (+8 net) and minority voters (+14 net). Trump’s favorability is trending upward (48% favorable, 51% unfavorable), while Harris (46% favorable, 52% unfavorable) and Biden (41% favorable, 57% unfavorable) continue to see declines.
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The poll also revealed stark contrasts in voter motivations. 66% of Trump voters supported him because they genuinely liked him, while only 33% voted to oppose Harris. Conversely, 52% of Harris supporters voted to oppose Trump, compared to 48% who supported her candidacy directly.
Voters remain divided on party values, with 44% identifying with Democrats, 41% with Republicans, and 11% aligning with both parties. News consumption patterns have shifted slightly, with cable news (40%) and national broadcast TV (33%) remaining dominant, while digital platforms like YouTube (17%, -5 from October) and X (12%) saw declines.
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, the Cygnal poll reflects strong voter optimism and enthusiasm for his second term. With high levels of support for key initiatives like DOGE and immigration policies, Republicans appear poised to build momentum leading into 2026.
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