Polling shows rising optimism among the public and the wind at Donald Trump’s back going into a second term. Across surveys, a common theme emerges: Americans are more optimistic about the future and ready to rally behind priorities like the economy and border.

In a poll by American Pulse conducted in December, nearly 55% of Americans reported either feeling hopeful, excited or relieved about the election outcome. Similarly, Pew Research found that 53% of Americans approve of Trump’s “plans for the future,” with excitement (22%) and relief (28%) being the most common emotions.

Trump’s personal favorability has also reached a high. In American Pulse polling, he is now at 50.5% favorability with a positive net favorability of plus 3.7%, echoing the RealClearPolitics Average of Polls, where he crossed into a positive net favorability for the first time ever.

The economy and border security are top priorities for Trump’s second term. American Pulse found that a majority cited either “inflation, jobs, and the economy” (35.2%) or “immigration and border security” (19.1%t) as their main concerns. Trump is entering this term with strong public backing on these issues: 47.8% of Americans think the economy will improve under Trump, and 59.6% think he will make the border more secure.

Other polls reinforce this economic optimism. CNBC’s All-America Economic Survey shows that 51% of Americans expect their personal finances to improve, a 10-point jump from 2016, while 51% think the economy will improve, up five points from Trump’s first election. Meanwhile, 40% say it’s a good time to invest in stocks — the most positive sentiment since 2019.

This optimism starkly contrasts President Biden’s economic approval rating of 36% in the CNBC poll, with 58% disapproving. Biden and Kamala Harris exit with steep challenges in public perception. According to American Pulse polling, Biden’s unfavorable rating stands at 53.7%, with 44.7% holding a “very unfavorable” view of him. Harris fares slightly better but still struggles with an unfavorable rating of 50.1%n and a net unfavorable rating of minus 5.1%. This dissatisfaction creates an opportunity for Trump to draw a sharp contrast if he can deliver where his predecessors fell short.

It’s not just broad approval but specific Trump initiatives that resonate with the public. Some policies labeled “controversial” enjoy majority support. American Pulse found that 54.7% of Americans support reforming the FBI; 55.9% back the proposed Department of Government Efficiency; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives get nearly 52% support.

What’s clear is that Americans are backing Trump’s agenda in a way that suggests a mandate. Trump’s challenge is to translate this confidence and optimism into tangible results. The new administration has a unique opportunity to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges and deliver on the promises that earned the public’s backing. If the postelection polling is any indication, Americans are ready to move forward.

Dustin Olson is the managing partner of American Pulse Research & Polling/InsideSources