Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #23427
 
Half of Americans Say President Trump Sometimes Loses Touch with Reality; Just 13% in USA Say Trump Always Tells the Truth;
Though Trump Describes His White House As a 'Fine-Tuned Machine,' 70% of Americans Say Things in DC are Out of Control;
32% Say Trump Is On His Way Toward Making America Great Again, But 39% Say Trump Is Making America Worse Than Ever:


Americans offer a sober assessment of America's 45th President. Hard-core supporters stand by him, but independents and moderates --- and of course Democrats --- are troubled by what they see, one month after businessman Donald Trump put his hand on a bible and swore an oath.

SurveyUSA interviewed 1,600 adults nationwide. Of them, 94% (1,500 adults) say they focus on current events at least 1 hour a day and were asked the questions in this survey. Essential findings:

* 50% of Americans say Donald Trump was elected president "fair and square."
* 38% of Americans say Mr. Trump was helped across the finish line.

* 13% of Americans say Mr. Trump always tells the truth.
* 43% say Mr. Trump knows when he is telling the truth and knows when he is making things up.
* 35% say Mr. Trump is unable to distinguish between what is true and what is made up.

* 33% nationwide say Mr. Trump sees the world as it is.
* 14% say Mr. Trump has a vivid imagination.
* 49% say Mr. Trump sometimes loses touch with reality.

* 32% of Americans say Mr. Trump is on his way toward making America great again.
* 20% say it is too soon for Mr. Trump to have had an impact one way or the other.
* 39% nationwide say Mr. Trump is making America worse than ever.

* Despite Mr. Trump's claim that his administration is running like a fine-tuned machine, just 15% of Americans say things in D.C. are under control
* 70% say things in Washington DC are out of control.

Though Republicans remain firmly in the President's corner, and though Democrats remain predictably opposed, there is learning in examining the views of independents and moderates, who often look at politics more dispassionately than those on the ends of the ideological spectrum.

* A plurality of independents and moderates believe Mr. Trump was elected fair and square.
* A plurality of independents and moderates say Mr. Trump is making America worse than ever.
* 69% of independents and 71% of moderates say things in Washington DC are out of control.
* Half of moderates and a plurality of independents say Mr. Trump sometimes loses touch with reality.
* A plurality of independents and moderates say Mr. Trump does not always tell the truth, but at least he knows when he is making things up.

* Just 33% of Republicans and just 24% of conservatives say Mr. Trump always tells the truth.
* 54% under age 50, 55% in urban areas and 51% in suburban areas say Mr. Trump sometimes loses touch with reality.
* Protestants are much more likely to say Mr. Trump sees the world as it is.
* Other Christians, Catholics, members of other religions and the non-religious say the President sometimes loses touch with reality.

Online interviews conducted 02/16/17; one half were completed before Mr. Trump's 02/16/17 press conference, the other half were completed during and after the press conference. SurveyUSA interviewed an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Material statement from SurveyUSA here.
 
Did President Donald Trump win the 2016 Presidential election fair and square? Was President Trump helped across the finish line? Or, do you not know enough to say?
1500 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceParty Affiliation, Expanded ViewParty AffiliationIdeology, Expanded ViewIdelogyEducationIncomeReligionUnionMilitary HousehoAbortionUrbanityHours On Current EventsRegistered VoterRegionSuburban
Credibility Interval: ± 2.6 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Strong RRepublicIndy LeaIndependIndy LeaDemocratStrong DRepublicIndependDemocratVery ConSomewhatModerateSomewhatVery LibConservaModerateLiberalHigh SchSome Col4-year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KProtestaCatholicOther ChJewishMuslimSomethinNoneYesNoYesNoPro-lifePro-choiUrbanSuburbanRural123+YesNoNortheasMidwestSouthWestManWoman
Won Fair And Square50%52%48%41%47%54%65%44%58%58%17%40%44%94%85%78%44%21%22%5%88%49%15%80%74%47%22%14%77%47%19%47%52%49%47%49%55%69%50%48%****33%37%40%51%57%48%70%34%40%49%68%55%49%44%51%44%45%53%55%43%52%45%
Helped Across The Finish Line38%36%40%46%39%37%24%43%32%29%70%56%37%5%10%15%33%63%64%86%8%35%73%15%19%37%66%79%17%37%71%38%38%39%39%39%36%22%40%39%****48%47%44%37%34%40%21%52%48%39%20%30%42%45%39%35%43%35%34%45%37%42%
Don't Know12%11%12%13%14%9%11%13%10%12%13%4%19%1%5%7%22%15%13%10%4%15%12%5%7%16%12%7%6%16%10%15%10%12%14%12%9%9%9%13%****20%16%16%11%8%13%8%13%12%12%12%15%8%11%11%21%12%13%11%12%11%13%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%49%51%31%26%27%17%56%44%67%12%14%7%10%18%14%16%11%16%12%28%40%28%15%21%35%15%10%36%35%25%20%38%42%35%38%27%23%25%21%2%1%8%19%9%89%21%78%39%49%28%51%20%40%31%29%90%10%18%21%38%23%26%26%
 
Is President Trump ... on his way to making America great again? Not yet having an impact one way or the other? Making America worse than ever? Or don't you know enough to say?
1500 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceParty Affiliation, Expanded ViewParty AffiliationIdeology, Expanded ViewIdelogyEducationIncomeReligionUnionMilitary HousehoAbortionUrbanityHours On Current EventsRegistered VoterRegionSuburban
Credibility Interval: ± 2.6 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Strong RRepublicIndy LeaIndependIndy LeaDemocratStrong DRepublicIndependDemocratVery ConSomewhatModerateSomewhatVery LibConservaModerateLiberalHigh SchSome Col4-year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KProtestaCatholicOther ChJewishMuslimSomethinNoneYesNoYesNoPro-lifePro-choiUrbanSuburbanRural123+YesNoNortheasMidwestSouthWestManWoman
On His Way32%33%31%24%30%36%44%27%39%38%12%23%27%86%58%44%23%4%13%1%68%25%8%69%48%27%6%6%57%27%6%37%31%30%33%30%34%45%35%34%****20%16%28%33%42%29%53%17%28%29%46%29%33%35%33%26%25%36%39%22%29%29%
Not Yet Having An Impact20%22%18%20%21%19%22%20%20%21%10%23%21%5%22%39%27%17%14%11%16%28%13%12%26%26%17%7%20%26%13%23%20%19%17%21%23%19%23%22%****24%16%23%20%21%20%22%17%13%25%20%26%19%14%20%20%25%18%20%20%27%22%
Making America Worse39%36%42%48%39%37%26%44%33%32%71%44%44%6%8%8%36%72%68%84%7%36%75%9%15%39%71%85%13%39%77%30%38%45%39%40%38%26%35%34%****50%59%39%39%32%41%17%57%51%38%23%32%41%47%39%42%41%38%33%48%36%41%
Don't Know9%8%9%9%9%8%8%9%8%9%7%10%9%4%11%10%13%7%5%4%9%10%4%10%11%9%6%3%11%9%5%10%11%6%11%10%5%10%8%10%****6%10%11%9%5%10%7%9%8%8%11%13%7%5%8%12%9%8%8%11%7%9%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%49%51%31%26%27%17%56%44%67%12%14%7%10%18%14%16%11%16%12%28%40%28%15%21%35%15%10%36%35%25%20%38%42%35%38%27%23%25%21%2%1%8%19%9%89%21%78%39%49%28%51%20%40%31%29%90%10%18%21%38%23%26%26%
 
3Are things in Washington DC under control? Or out of control?
1500 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceParty Affiliation, Expanded ViewParty AffiliationIdeology, Expanded ViewIdelogyEducationIncomeReligionUnionMilitary HousehoAbortionUrbanityHours On Current EventsRegistered VoterRegionSuburban
Credibility Interval: ± 2.4 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Strong RRepublicIndy LeaIndependIndy LeaDemocratStrong DRepublicIndependDemocratVery ConSomewhatModerateSomewhatVery LibConservaModerateLiberalHigh SchSome Col4-year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KProtestaCatholicOther ChJewishMuslimSomethinNoneYesNoYesNoPro-lifePro-choiUrbanSuburbanRural123+YesNoNortheasMidwestSouthWestManWoman
Under Control15%19%11%17%14%17%8%16%14%16%11%14%14%43%20%16%15%6%8%3%28%13%6%30%18%14%7%5%23%14%6%21%10%16%13%15%17%15%17%17%****15%10%13%15%17%14%22%10%19%12%18%14%12%18%15%11%14%11%19%11%15%9%
Out Of Control70%67%73%65%72%69%76%68%72%67%77%74%70%46%57%64%65%83%82%92%53%69%86%56%57%71%87%89%57%71%88%61%70%73%68%70%71%69%70%61%****71%77%75%70%66%71%61%77%66%73%65%67%74%68%70%70%73%73%65%71%69%77%
Not Sure16%14%17%18%14%14%16%16%15%17%12%12%16%11%23%20%21%11%10%5%19%18%8%14%24%15%6%6%20%15%6%18%20%11%19%15%12%16%13%22%****14%13%11%16%16%15%17%13%15%15%17%19%14%13%15%19%12%16%16%18%16%15%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%49%51%31%26%27%17%56%44%67%12%14%7%10%18%14%16%11%16%12%28%40%28%15%21%35%15%10%36%35%25%20%38%42%35%38%27%23%25%21%2%1%8%19%9%89%21%78%39%49%28%51%20%40%31%29%90%10%18%21%38%23%26%26%
 
Does President Trump see the world as it is? Does President Trump have a vivid imagination? Or, does President Trump sometimes lose touch with reality?
1500 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceParty Affiliation, Expanded ViewParty AffiliationIdeology, Expanded ViewIdelogyEducationIncomeReligionUnionMilitary HousehoAbortionUrbanityHours On Current EventsRegistered VoterRegionSuburban
Credibility Interval: ± 2.6 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Strong RRepublicIndy LeaIndependIndy LeaDemocratStrong DRepublicIndependDemocratVery ConSomewhatModerateSomewhatVery LibConservaModerateLiberalHigh SchSome Col4-year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KProtestaCatholicOther ChJewishMuslimSomethinNoneYesNoYesNoPro-lifePro-choiUrbanSuburbanRural123+YesNoNortheasMidwestSouthWestManWoman
Sees The World As It Is33%33%33%24%28%39%47%26%42%39%11%27%22%78%61%50%28%4%10%1%67%29%6%63%51%29%8%5%56%29%7%34%36%30%33%31%37%45%37%32%****22%20%29%34%40%31%50%20%24%31%49%33%32%34%33%29%32%34%38%24%31%31%
Has a Vivid Imagination14%13%14%17%14%11%11%16%11%12%22%18%10%11%8%15%17%17%15%13%9%16%14%7%13%14%20%13%11%14%17%18%12%13%13%16%12%13%16%12%****17%13%19%13%9%15%12%15%18%14%9%12%14%15%14%12%13%8%15%19%14%13%
Loses Touch With Reality49%49%48%56%53%44%37%54%41%44%65%54%58%10%25%29%47%76%73%85%20%48%78%27%30%50%70%81%28%50%75%40%46%54%48%50%49%36%45%51%****55%62%49%48%46%49%32%61%55%51%35%47%51%48%49%48%52%53%42%53%51%50%
Not Sure5%4%5%4%5%6%4%4%5%5%3%1%9%1%5%7%8%3%2%1%4%6%2%3%7%6%1%0%5%6%1%8%5%3%7%4%3%6%2%5%****7%6%4%5%5%5%6%3%3%4%7%7%3%3%4%11%3%5%5%4%4%5%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%49%51%31%26%27%17%56%44%67%12%14%7%10%18%14%16%11%16%12%28%40%28%15%21%35%15%10%36%35%25%20%38%42%35%38%27%23%25%21%2%1%8%19%9%89%21%78%39%49%28%51%20%40%31%29%90%10%18%21%38%23%26%26%
 
Which statement do you most agree with? Donald Trump always tells the truth. Donald Trump knows when he is telling the truth and knows when he is making things up. Donald Trump is unable to distinguish between what is true and what is made up.
1500 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceParty Affiliation, Expanded ViewParty AffiliationIdeology, Expanded ViewIdelogyEducationIncomeReligionUnionMilitary HousehoAbortionUrbanityHours On Current EventsRegistered VoterRegionSuburban
Credibility Interval: ± 2.6 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Strong RRepublicIndy LeaIndependIndy LeaDemocratStrong DRepublicIndependDemocratVery ConSomewhatModerateSomewhatVery LibConservaModerateLiberalHigh SchSome Col4-year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KProtestaCatholicOther ChJewishMuslimSomethinNoneYesNoYesNoPro-lifePro-choiUrbanSuburbanRural123+YesNoNortheasMidwestSouthWestManWoman
Always Tells The Truth13%13%14%8%13%15%21%10%17%15%4%14%8%38%31%11%12%0%2%1%33%8%2%38%15%10%2%4%24%10%3%13%17%10%13%15%11%22%14%10%****9%8%10%14%15%13%24%5%11%12%21%12%11%17%14%10%13%14%17%8%9%14%
Knows Truth / Knows When Making Things Up43%46%41%40%43%46%46%42%46%47%30%40%35%49%53%61%41%35%38%23%52%46%32%48%55%45%31%30%52%45%31%42%41%46%40%45%45%49%46%46%****29%36%38%44%47%42%48%40%39%44%47%51%42%35%43%45%41%42%45%43%47%42%
Unable To Distinguish35%34%36%44%35%30%27%40%29%29%55%40%50%3%7%18%33%61%55%74%6%35%63%7%18%35%65%66%13%35%65%31%34%38%36%34%36%20%34%34%****48%50%46%34%29%37%19%48%41%37%23%29%39%40%35%35%38%37%29%41%37%36%
Not Sure8%7%9%7%9%10%7%8%9%8%11%5%6%9%10%10%14%4%5%2%9%10%4%7%12%9%2%1%10%9%1%13%8%6%11%6%7%9%6%10%****14%6%6%8%9%8%8%7%8%8%9%9%8%8%8%10%8%7%9%8%7%8%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%49%51%31%26%27%17%56%44%67%12%14%7%10%18%14%16%11%16%12%28%40%28%15%21%35%15%10%36%35%25%20%38%42%35%38%27%23%25%21%2%1%8%19%9%89%21%78%39%49%28%51%20%40%31%29%90%10%18%21%38%23%26%26%
 
** Too few respondents of this type were interviewed for this data to be meaningful.