(The Center Square) – The majority of Americans approve of the way President-elect Donald Trump is handling the presidential transition, according to a new poll.
Gallup’s new polling data showed 51% of Americans support Trump’s handling of the transition.
The latest figures rate a bit better than Trump’s first transition, when 48% of those surveyed supported Trump’s handling of the transition.
Trump’s inauguration is scheduled for Jan. 20, but he has already been busy reacting to world events, naming cabinet picks and laying out policy plans.
The support comes despite Trump’s controversial picks for some cabinet positions, not the least of which was former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who later withdrew himself from consideration to lead the Department of Justice and faces a slew of sexual misconduct allegations.
On the question of cabinet picks specifically, 45% of Americans rate Trump’s picks unfavorably, 36% rate them favorably, and 16% call them “average.”
While Trump won both the popular vote and managed a sizable electoral college win, he remains divisive with fierce opponents.
“Trump’s current transition ratings still rank well below those for other recent presidents-elect,” Gallup said. “All incoming presidents since Bill Clinton had transition approval ratings of at least 61%, with approval exceeding disapproval by 30 or more percentage points for each.”
Gallup conducted the survey Dec. 2-18.
Meanwhile, the latest Gallup polling shows President Joe Biden’s approval rating as he heads out of office is 39%.
