Poll Reveals Mixed Public Reaction to Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address

Key Points

• Donald Trump delivered his second State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, ahead of the midterm elections.
• A CNN/SSRS poll found that about two-thirds of viewers reacted favorably, with 38% rating it “very positive.”
• Support for Trump’s policies rose from 54% before the speech to 64% afterward.
• Despite overall approval, 45% of viewers said he gave too little attention to the cost of living.
• Trump’s approval rating in a separate CNN poll days earlier stood at just 36%.

Speech Gains Favorable Marks but Faces Criticism

President Donald Trump’s latest State of the Union address drew a largely positive response from viewers, according to a CNN poll conducted during the February 24 broadcast. Roughly two-thirds of respondents said they had a favorable impression of the speech, with 38% describing their reaction as “very positive.”

The results mark an improvement over Trump’s 2025 address but remain lower than the ratings for his first-term speeches.

Poll Findings: Policy Support Rises

Before the address, 54% of viewers believed Trump’s policies would benefit the nation. That figure climbed to 64% afterward. Similarly, the percentage of respondents who felt he was focused on the right issues rose from 44% to 54%.

His economic and immigration policies received strong backing, with 62% saying they align with the country’s best interests. Views on tariffs were evenly split.

Cost of Living Concerns Dominate Criticism

Despite the favorable overall reaction, many viewers expressed concern about Trump’s handling of everyday expenses. 45% said he devoted too little attention to the cost of living, while 40% admitted they lacked confidence in his ability to make things more affordable.

Leadership and Foreign Policy Ratings

The poll also found that 45% of respondents expressed full confidence in Trump’s leadership, while 43% approved of his use of U.S. military power. On foreign policy, 38% said they trusted him to handle tensions with Iran appropriately.

Context: Audience Composition

CNN noted that the audience for the speech included 13 percentage points more Republican viewers than usual, which may have contributed to the favorable ratings. Analysts caution that the results may not reflect broader public opinion.

Indeed, a separate CNN poll conducted days before the address placed Trump’s overall approval rating at 36%, underscoring the challenges he faces in winning over undecided voters.

What Happens Next?

While the speech boosted perceptions among viewers already inclined to support Trump, experts suggest it is unlikely to significantly shift national opinion. With midterm elections approaching, the President’s ability to address economic concerns—particularly the cost of living—will remain a critical test of his leadership.