Individuals say Trump is altering how authorities works, however divided over Musk, workforce cuts — CBS Information ballot
There’s not less than one factor Individuals extensively agree on about President Donald Trump: they suppose he is altering the way in which the federal government works.
However they’re extra break up on whether or not that is for the higher or worse.
His strategy to immigration and deportation continues to obtain optimistic marks, and his border insurance policies are seen as efficient. A big majority agree there’s some waste within the federal authorities.
DOGE and Elon Musk’s efforts divide the nation, although, as Individuals foresee an influence from dismissing federal staff. Half the nation thinks this can minimize their companies and take away important individuals. Half suppose it will lower your expenses.
Both method, it is not the primary concern they need Mr. Trump centered on. They overwhelmingly say he ought to prioritize inflation and the economic system, and much fewer suppose he really is.
The individuals who suppose Mr. Trump is altering the federal government for the higher — who embrace numerous Republicans and individuals who voted for him — overwhelmingly approve of issues like his insurance policies on deportation and his efforts to cut back the federal workforce. They might particularly give Elon Musk and DOGE numerous affect.
Those that see main adjustments for the worse — most Democrats and those that did not again him — go the opposite method on all of this. Most of them do not suppose Musk and DOGE should have any affect. They see reductions within the workforce as eliminating important staff and as having the impact of consolidating Mr. Trump’s energy.
Most Individuals see a variety of potential impacts from the federal workforce reductions.
For many Republicans, these reductions will result in efficiencies and financial savings.
For Democrats, it will take away important staff, and so they additionally see political impacts: eradicating staff who do not assist him and conferring extra energy on Mr. Trump.
The general public is on stability cautious of Musk and DOGE’s entry to authorities company knowledge data. Democrats and independents suppose he has an excessive amount of entry, however Republicans both say he has the correct amount or would give him extra.
That mentioned, most do suppose there’s not less than some waste within the federal authorities, and that view crosses celebration strains. However they differ on how a lot and what causes it: Republicans suppose there’s a lot, principally attributable to fraud within the system, whereas Democrats suppose there’s just some, principally attributable to poor spending choices.
Is Trump prioritizing what individuals need?
Mr. Trump will get narrowly optimistic rankings for dealing with the economic system, however not inflation particularly.
There is a large distinction between what Individuals suppose Mr. Trump ought to present excessive precedence and what they suppose he is prioritizing.
They overwhelmingly need Mr. Trump centered on the economic system and inflation. That cuts throughout partisan strains. (Maybe no shock there, as they have been amongst Individuals’ high points for years.)
The p.c who suppose he’s giving numerous precedence to the economic system and inflation, although, is much decrease.
Most suppose he’s prioritizing the border, the federal workforce and tariffs, extra so than inflation. And his insurance policies aren’t seen as driving down meals and grocery costs.
The give attention to the border does assist him politically: he will get approval on his dealing with of immigration, and most proceed to again his deportation coverage. Most say his insurance policies are decreasing the variety of migrants crossing the border.
That every one leaves Mr. Trump’s approval score in optimistic territory, however extra intently divided than a few weeks in the past.
In all, Republicans now overwhelmingly suppose issues within the nation are going not less than considerably nicely, which has pushed up the general share of Individuals who’re saying that since Mr. Trump took workplace.
Modifications in worldwide relations
Individuals additionally suppose there are main adjustments taking place with U.S. worldwide relations. And once more right here, a break up on whether or not that’s higher or worse.
Interviewing for the ballot was virtually totally performed previous to the Oval Workplace assembly between Mr. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Individuals total need to stay engaged on the world stage. Although few suppose the U.S. ought to take the main position on the planet, most do suppose it ought to work alongside its allies.
And most see the nations of Western Europe collectively (Nice Britain, France, Germany and Italy) as allies of the U.S.
Half of Individuals say they again Ukraine within the battle with Russia, virtually half are impartial.
In interviews largely performed previous to the Trump-Zelenskyy assembly, few Individuals thought Mr. Trump favored Ukraine within the Ukraine-Russia battle.
Those that personally assist Ukraine overwhelmingly say Mr. Trump favored Russia, whereas those that do not choose a facet overwhelmingly say he is handled them equally.
His dealing with of the battle is essentially break up alongside celebration strains.
Most Individuals do proceed to see Russia as unfriendly or an enemy. Republicans are comparably much less inclined to see it as an enemy than are Individuals total.
The nation continues to divide alongside partisan strains over army assist to Ukraine.
This CBS Information/YouGov survey was performed with a nationally consultant pattern of two,311 U.S. adults interviewed between Feb. 26-28, 2025. The pattern was weighted to be consultant of adults nationwide in line with gender, age, race, and schooling, based mostly on the U.S. Census American Group Survey and Present Inhabitants Survey, in addition to 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.5 factors.
