More Americans disapprove of Trump’s transition than approve, a stark break from past presidents. 44 percent approve of the transition while 51 percent disapprove, Gallup found. By comparison, around the same time in Barack Obama’s 2009 transition, 83 percent of Americans approved of the effort while only 12 percent disapproved.
In 2001, George W. Bush — who, like Trump, lost the popular vote — enjoyed a 61 percent approval rating for his transition, while only 25 percent of Americans disapproved. Bill Clinton saw similar numbers in 1993, with 68 percent approval and 18 percent disapproval.
The Gallup findings line up with other polls showing a dim outlook on the incoming administration. The Pew Research Center recently found that 41 percent approve of Trump’s “Cabinet choices and other high-level appointments,” while 49 percent disapprove. Quinnipiac University, meanwhile, found 37 percent of voters approving of Trump’s transition and 51 percent disapproving.
Taken together, the polls paint a picture of a historically unpopular incoming administration.