HomeNational NewsCNN Poll: 64% of Speech Watchers React Positively to Trump’s State of...

CNN Poll: 64% of Speech Watchers React Positively to Trump’s State of the Union

Atlanta, GA – A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows a strong majority of speech watchers reacted positively to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

According to the February 24, 2026 post-speech survey of 482 Americans who watched the address, 64% said their overall reaction was positive, while 36% said it was negative. Of those, 38% described their reaction as “very positive.”

The poll, conducted via text message immediately after the speech, had a margin of error of +/- 5.5%.

Direction of the Country

The same survey found 64% of viewers believe Trump’s proposed policies will move the country in the right direction, compared to 36% who said the wrong direction.

That marks a 10-point improvement from CNN’s pre-speech survey conducted just days earlier, when 54% of watchers said right direction and 45% said wrong direction.

Key Issues

On specific policy areas:

  • Economy: 62% said Trump’s economic policies would move the country in the right direction.
  • Immigration: 62% said his immigration proposals would move the country in the right direction.
  • Leadership: 65% said they have at least some confidence in Trump to provide real leadership for the country.

The poll also found 51% believe Trump’s handling of tariffs is an appropriate use of presidential power, while 49% say he is overstepping.

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