Trump promised that winning would be the new normal if he secured reelection. And it looks like he’s already fulfilling that promise.
As Donald Trump just scored a major victory before his term in the White House has even started.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance have experienced a notable boost in popularity among younger voters, according to a recent survey by The Economist and YouGov. The data highlights a significant shift in the 18-to-29 age group’s sentiment, with a growing sense of optimism about both leadership and personal finances.
Vance’s approval among younger voters jumped to 43%, with disapproval dropping to 31%. This marks a substantial improvement from October when only 31% viewed him favorably, and 48% held an unfavorable opinion.
Trump’s standing among this demographic has also seen a sharp increase. In the latest poll conducted from November 17–19, 57% of voters aged 18 to 29 reported having a favorable impression of Trump, compared to just 38% in late October. Meanwhile, his unfavorable rating plummeted from 58% to 38%.
Broader Support Among Low-Income Americans
Support for Trump and Vance isn’t just growing among younger voters—it’s also rising among low-income Americans. For those earning less than $50,000 annually, Vance’s favorability climbed from 33% to 40%, while his unfavorable rating dropped from 46% to 38%. Similarly, Trump’s favorability surged from 33% to 50%, with his unfavorable rating remaining steady at 46%.
Trump’s favorability has even improved among Democrats. Before the election, only 6% of Democrats viewed him positively, but that figure has now risen to 14%. Vance has seen a similar trend, with his approval among Democrats increasing from 7% to 15%.
These changes have contributed to an overall rise in favorability for both leaders. Trump’s approval is now at 51%, up from 41% before the election, while his unfavorability has decreased to 46%. For Vance, overall favorability inched up from 41% to 43%, though he did lose some support among voters aged 65 and older.
Economic Optimism Gains Momentum
Americans’ outlook on the economy has also shifted positively in recent weeks. In October, 48% believed the economy was worsening, but that figure has now fallen to 34%. Meanwhile, the share of respondents who think the economy is staying the same rose from 25% to 33%, and those who believe it is improving increased slightly from 21% to 23%.
Younger voters are driving much of this optimism. Among 18-to-29-year-olds, the percentage who think the economy is worsening dropped sharply from 39% to 24%. Many now believe the economy is stable, with 41% saying it’s staying the same—up from 31% in October.
Optimism is also spreading across income groups. Among those earning less than $50,000, the share of economic pessimists declined from 46% to 40%. Middle-income earners saw an even more dramatic shift, with the percentage saying the economy is worsening falling from 56% to 36%. Among higher-income households, pessimism dropped from 39% to 24%.
A Brighter Financial Future
Americans are feeling slightly more hopeful about their personal finances. In the latest survey, 39% said they expect to be better off financially a year from now, up from 31% in October. This sentiment is especially pronounced among younger voters, with nearly half—49%—expressing confidence in their financial future, compared to 38% last month.
Such optimism could have tangible effects on economic growth. When Americans, particularly younger and lower-income groups, feel better about their financial prospects, they tend to spend and invest more. This could help accelerate the economy in the months ahead.
The Road Ahead
Despite these gains, there’s still progress to be made. Only 23% of Americans currently believe the economy is improving—a modest rise from 21% in October.
If Trump and Vance can effectively demonstrate that their policies are strengthening the economy, public confidence may continue to grow, further boosting their popularity and influence.
The evolving political and economic landscape highlights an emerging trend: younger voters and traditionally skeptical demographics are warming to Trump and Vance as their leadership takes shape.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
