Post-Speech Poll Shows Divided but Largely Positive Reaction to Trump’s Latest Address to Congress
A new overnight study after President Donald Trump’s last State of the Union address found that most Americans who watched it liked it, while enthusiasm was lower than in previous speeches.
CNN and SSRS polled Tuesday night and found that 64% of Americans who saw the speech liked it. In that group, 38% said they felt “very positive,” while 25% said “somewhat positive.” The address was criticized by 36% of viewers.
The data show that viewers usually like the sitting president after congressional addresses. The data shows a slight change from Trump’s first term’s reactions. Between 2017 and 2019, at least 70% of speech-watchers gave his yearly addresses positive reviews, but this year’s 64% approval is weaker.
The survey also stated that the address audience was not representative of the U.S. population. Respondent data showed that the speech audience was 13% more Republican than the national average. Presidential speeches frequently draw more supporters from the president’s party, which can affect post-speech reaction ratings.
Trump’s 2026 speech was met with a similar reception to Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address. A CNN survey after that speech revealed 65% of viewers liked it. However, Biden’s 2022 and 2023 addresses received higher ratings of 72 percent and 71 percent, respectively. This shows that while good reactions are typical, enthusiasm can fluctuate year to year depending on politics and public mood.
The poll also measured viewers’ views on the country’s direction and the president’s policy priorities before and after the address. The study found that positive attitude increased after the address. Speech-watchers who believed Trump’s policies are good for the country jumped by 10 percentage points to 64 percent.
This post-speech bump resembles Trump’s early term. Speech-watchers approved 71% following the 2019 address, up from 62% before. It grew from 55% to 62% in 2018. In 2017, the increase was considerably greater, from 58% before the speech to 69% after. These changes show that nationally televised addresses can briefly change public opinion.
Political observers have long noted that presidents use State of the Union speeches to set objectives and build popular narratives. Immediate reaction surveys often favor the event because it draws politically motivated viewers. As Congress and the nation debate policies, public opinion may change.
Recent surveys measure rapid viewer reaction rather than long-term acceptance scores. Results of most snap polls after significant political events reflect the mood of individuals who watched live coverage. National opinion may change with more surveys with a more representative sample of Americans.
The poll showed that speech-watchers approved of President Trump, but enthusiasm was lower than in past years. Viewers’ trust in the administration’s direction and priorities appeared to rise briefly after the address.
Long-term public opinion patterns may reveal how the speech resonates beyond its immediate audience as lawmakers contemplate legislation.
Sources:
CNN
SSRS
