Trump’s America First Message Resonates Again
Quantus Insights Poll Shows Strong GOP Optimism, Democrats Entrenched, Independents Cautious After President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress
In his March 4 address to a joint session of Congres, Donald Trump told U.S. lawmakers and the world that "America is back." The president spoke for nearly two hours Donald Trump and drew stark lines between nationalists and globalists, patriots and establishmentarians. A Quantus Insights survey of 800 registered voters, conducted immediately after Trump's remarks and the following morning, gives us a vivid snapshot of a country sharply divided yet responsive to Trump’s America First clarion call.
Nearly half of voters (49%) say the speech left them feeling more optimistic about America’s direction—Trump’s clarion call clearly resonating. Yet, predictably, a sizable portion (38%) saw pessimism ahead. Among Republicans, the optimism soared to a staggering 80%, while Democrats found little hope (just 19%), with Independents evenly divided at 45%.
On the question of tone, Trump was perceived largely as strong and assertive (35%), presidential and unifying to a lesser extent (26%), but a considerable group (33%) labeled his approach as divisive. Again, the partisan breakdown was stark: Republicans heard a firm, presidential voice (85% saw it as presidential or assertive), while 60% of Democrats labeled it confrontational. Independents, those cautious observers, leaned more toward strength and assertion (38%), though many saw divisiveness as well (30%).
Trump’s economic policies remain a battleground, with the public nearly evenly split: 42% say his agenda of tax cuts, deregulation, and fair trade deals—paired with tough tariffs—helps America. Yet 40% argue these policies hurt the nation, while 18% remain undecided. Republicans overwhelmingly see strength (75%), Democrats largely see harm (70%), and Independents remain conflicted, nearly evenly split, reflecting an America unsure of its economic future and divided on its path forward.
Yet one Trump position rings crystal-clear to the American ear: foreign aid and bureaucratic waste. Over half (52%) demand cutting and reassessing U.S. foreign aid spending—an overwhelming 82% of Republicans, joined notably by 42% of Independents and even 30% of Democrats. Only 24% defended existing programs. Clearly, Americans hear Trump’s call to restore common sense to Washington spending.
The President’s bold promise to strip power from unelected bureaucrats finds considerable traction: nearly 40% of voters favor Trump’s reforms to limit unelected officials’ authority, notably among Republicans (68%). Yet, opposition remains robust at 34%, primarily among Democrats who trust bureaucrats to deliver stability. Independents remain cautious (33% support reform, 39% oppose), signaling a wary electorate that demands detail before granting full-throated support.
Trump’s Ukraine peace proposal—direct negotiations with Russia, pausing military aid to push diplomacy, and securing economic compensation via Ukraine's mineral resources—received strong backing at 48%. Republicans rallied firmly (73% in support), Independents leaned favorably (45%), while Democrats remain predictably skeptical (55% opposed), fearing weakened resistance to Russia.
Ultimately, Trump emerges from his joint address with significant approval from those who tuned in: 55% back his broader policy agenda. Republicans, predictably, offered a decisive endorsement—95% approving overall—while Democrats sharply dissented (83% disapproved). Independents stand in cautious support (51% approval), again underscoring Trump’s ability to capture the hearts of Middle America, even as he drives opposition from entrenched political elites.
The takeaway is clear: Trump’s America-first, populist message continues to echo strongly across the land, rallying loyalists and testing independents. His combative, uncompromising vision divides the nation but also galvanizes it. And as America looks ahead, the battle lines between populism and globalism, between bureaucratic control and democratic accountability, and between cautious diplomacy and America-first leadership remain sharply drawn.