For the first time in nearly two decades of polling, a majority of voters say the country is headed in the right direction, according to Rasmussen Reports.
A survey conducted from May 18 to May 22 and released Sunday found that 48% of Americans believe the U.S. is on the “right direction” path, while 47% say it’s on the “wrong track.” Another 5% responded that they are “not sure.”
Rasmussen’s Mark Mitchell put the numbers in context, saying, “In 20 years, the % of people who say the U.S. is headed in the right direction has never been higher than today.” The “right track, wrong track” surveys by the pollster began in 2006, the Daily Signal reports.
Observers—particularly critics of the administration—were quick to point out that 48% does not technically constitute a majority, which would require at least 50%. A quick search for “Rasmussen Right Direction” on X reveals numerous users highlighting that distinction, often citing Grok for making the same clarification.
However, Rasmussen issued an update on Tuesday morning, noting that the “rolling average of last night and the prior four nights” had reached the “uncharted territory” of 50%.
The news is no doubt very good for President Donald Trump, whose policies appear to be resonating with at least half the country. That’s a significant increase over former President Joe Biden’s “right direction” number of around 36 percent ahead of the 2024 election.
RealClearPolitics is also reporting a significant shift toward national optimism. In a November 2024 survey, 63% of respondents said the country was on the wrong track, while just 26% believed it was on the right track—a 37-point gap.
Today, that gap has narrowed dramatically: 51% say the U.S. is on the wrong track, while 44% believe it’s on the right path. That seven-point difference marks a 30-point improvement in just a few months.
“Never thought I would see it,” Mitchell told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t think the Republican Party understands the gravity of the gift which [President Donald] Trump has given them. Unprecedented presidency.”
Trump sounded a positive note himself on his Truth Social platform last week. “Our Nation is staging one if the greatest and fastest comebacks in history. In just 4 short months, we are respected again, respected like never before, and just wait, with many Trillions of Dollars of Investment in Plants and Factories, until you see the numbers on GROWTH. This is, indeed, THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!!!” he wrote.
