{"id":111617,"date":"2026-01-25T01:34:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T01:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/111617\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T01:34:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T01:34:29","slug":"the-emotions-president-trump-evokes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/111617\/","title":{"rendered":"The Emotions President Trump Evokes"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the campaign, many voters remembered Donald J. Trump\u2019s first term with warm feelings and nostalgia<\/a>. In his second term, their defining emotions are hostility and happiness.<\/p>\n

In the latest New York Times\/Siena poll<\/a>, voters were asked to name the emotion that describes how they feel about Mr. Trump\u2019s presidency. Their answers ran the gamut from \u201cfury\u201d to \u201cabsolute joy\u201d and underscore how views of this president are practically etched in stone: After a year in which the Trump administration enacted a buffet of policies that could make his admirers even happier and his detractors even angrier, overall sentiment has not budged since at least April, when the Times\/Siena poll asked a similar question.<\/p>\n

Answers in the new survey provide deeper insight into the country\u2019s partisan divide, particularly into the intense emotions Mr. Trump engenders in his opponents.<\/p>\n

What emotion best describes how you feel about Donald Trump\u2019s presidency so far? <\/p>\n

Responses grouped into categories by emotion<\/p>\n

Based on a New York Times\/Siena poll of 1,625 registered voters nationwide conducted Jan. 12 to 17. <\/p>\n

Democrats responded primarily with expressions of outrage and disgust.<\/p>\n

Republicans were primarily satisfied, happy or enthusiastic.<\/p>\n

Independent voters were about equally as likely to express hostility as they were disappointment, while a smaller share said they were satisfied.<\/p>\n

What emotion best describes how you feel about Donald Trump\u2019s presidency so far? <\/p>\n

Responses grouped into categories by emotion<\/p>\n

Based on a New York Times\/Siena poll of 1,625 registered voters nationwide conducted Jan. 12 to 17. <\/p>\n

For Democrats, feelings about Trump\u2019s second term are visceral.<\/p>\n

The striking difference between how Democrats and Republicans reacted to Mr. Trump\u2019s first year was in the strength of their sentiments. The negative reactions of Democrats were more forceful, while Republicans, though largely positive, expressed a more muted enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

When Democrats characterized their emotions in their own words, \u201canger\u201d topped the list, followed by \u201cdisgust.\u201d But their responses went deeper: hate, horror, rage, terror, and repulsion. Among the more colorful responses were \u201cvomit\u201d, \u201cyuck\u201d and \u201clock him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Democrats describe their emotions about Trump\u2019s first term <\/p>\n

Responses to \u201cWhat emotion best describes how you feel about Donald Trump\u2019s presidency so far?\u201d in their own words. Numbers show the share of Democrats who used each word.<\/p>\n

angry 15%<\/p>\n

disgusted 9.9%<\/p>\n

hate 5.7%<\/p>\n

disappointed 5.3%<\/p>\n

frustrated 4.0%<\/p>\n

horrifed 3.6%<\/p>\n

fearful 3.0%<\/p>\n

sad 2.8%<\/p>\n

scared 2.6%<\/p>\n

upset 2.1%<\/p>\n

enraged 2.1%<\/p>\n

dislike 2.0%<\/p>\n

concerned 1.2%<\/p>\n

bad 1.2%<\/p>\n

ok 1.1%<\/p>\n

embarassed 1.0%<\/p>\n

poor 1.0%<\/p>\n

good 1.0%<\/p>\n

terrible 0.9%<\/p>\n

pissed 0.8%<\/p>\n

unemotional 0.8%<\/p>\n

unfortunate 0.8%<\/p>\n

confused 0.8%<\/p>\n

outraged 0.7%<\/p>\n

negative 0.7%<\/p>\n

terrified 0.7%<\/p>\n

sucks 0.7%<\/p>\n

disdainful 0.6%<\/p>\n

uncertain 0.6%<\/p>\n

neutral 0.6%<\/p>\n

unsure 0.5%<\/p>\n

sick 0.5%<\/p>\n

anxious 0.5%<\/p>\n

despair 0.5%<\/p>\n

unhappy 0.5%<\/p>\n

irritated 0.5%<\/p>\n

disastrous 0.4%<\/p>\n

disbelief 0.4%<\/p>\n

disillusioned 0.3%<\/p>\n

repulsed 0.3%<\/p>\n

better 0.2%<\/p>\n

joke 0.2%<\/p>\n

surprised 0.2%<\/p>\n

dissatisfied 0.2%<\/p>\n

awful 0.1%<\/p>\n

Smaller shares used words expressing fear, concern, terror or anxiety.<\/p>\n

The defining emotion of Mr. Trump\u2019s political opposition is relevant to more than just understanding the mood of the country: Research on the link between emotions and political participation has found that feelings of anxiety \u2014 more than feelings of anger \u2014 motivate people to learn more about what is happening around them, and potentially make them more open to different ideas.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnger does not break us out of our default processing; we aren\u2019t motivated to learn,\u201d said David Redlawsk, a professor of political science at the University of Delaware who has researched the interactions between emotions and politics. \u201cInstead, we want to try to get revenge, or hurt those making us angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

In contrast, Dr. Redlawsk added that \u201cwhen you encounter something fearful or anxiety-inducing, you pay attention and search for new information.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Republicans, the overwhelming mood is \u2018good.\u2019<\/p>\n

The responses from Republicans were overwhelmingly positive, though their emotions were generally less heightened than Democrats. The most common feelings reflected contentment rather than passion.<\/p>\n

How Republicans describe their emotions about Trump\u2019s first term <\/p>\n

Actual responses to the poll question \u201cWhat emotion best describes how you feel about Donald Trump\u2019s presidency so far?\u201d Numbers show the share of Republicans who used each word.<\/p>\n

happy 14%<\/p>\n

satisfied 6.6%<\/p>\n

good 5.7%<\/p>\n

great 4.5%<\/p>\n

hopeful 3.5%<\/p>\n

disappointed 3.4%<\/p>\n

excited 2.9%<\/p>\n

ok 2.9%<\/p>\n

best 2.5%<\/p>\n

angry 2.5%<\/p>\n

optimistic 2.3%<\/p>\n

excellent 2.1%<\/p>\n

proud 1.9%<\/p>\n

relieved 1.8%<\/p>\n

content 1.5%<\/p>\n

like 1.5%<\/p>\n

grateful 1.4%<\/p>\n

indifferent 1.2%<\/p>\n

unemotional 1.1%<\/p>\n

fine 1.1%<\/p>\n

neutral 1.0%<\/p>\n

positive 1.0%<\/p>\n

approving 1.0%<\/p>\n

pleased 1.0%<\/p>\n

ecstatic 1.0%<\/p>\n

thankful 0.9%<\/p>\n

glad 0.9%<\/p>\n

safer 0.9%<\/p>\n

concerned 0.8%<\/p>\n

confident 0.7%<\/p>\n

encouraged 0.6%<\/p>\n

mixed 0.6%<\/p>\n

love 0.6%<\/p>\n

not good 0.6%<\/p>\n

bad 0.6%<\/p>\n

awesome 0.6%<\/p>\n

elated 0.6%<\/p>\n

unhappy 0.5%<\/p>\n

frustrated 0.5%<\/p>\n

well 0.5%<\/p>\n

thrilled 0.5%<\/p>\n

confused 0.4%<\/p>\n

supportive 0.4%<\/p>\n

expected 0.3%<\/p>\n

strong 0.3%<\/p>\n

fantastic 0.2%<\/p>\n

tough 0.2%<\/p>\n

That is not unexpected, said Linda Isbell, a professor of social psychology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.<\/p>\n

\u201cPositive emotions tend to not be as differentiated as negative emotions,\u201d Dr. Isbell said. \u201cIf you\u2019re happy, it doesn\u2019t really matter what kind of good you\u2019re feeling, you just feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many Republicans had enthusiastic feelings, like excitement, ecstasy and elation.<\/p>\n

Though not all Republicans were pleased with how things have gone so far. A small share used words that expressed disgust or outrage.<\/p>\n

This poll also found that Mr. Trump is beginning to lose some of the key groups<\/a> that helped get him elected, and that he is facing declining approval within his own party on a few issues, such as his handling of the cost of living, on which 20 percent of Republicans disapprove.<\/p>\n

While \u2018disappointment\u2019 is common for Democrats and independents, a sliver of G.O.P. voters share the sentiment.<\/p>\n

Disappointment and sadness were far more common among Democrats and independents.<\/p>\n

How independents describe their emotions about Trump\u2019s first term <\/p>\n

Actual responses to the poll question \u201cWhat emotion best describes how you feel about Donald Trump\u2019s presidency so far?\u201d Numbers show the share of independents who used each word.<\/p>\n

disappointed 9.1%<\/p>\n

angry 6.4%<\/p>\n

disgusted 6.0%<\/p>\n

frustrated 4.4%<\/p>\n

good 3.8%<\/p>\n

happy 3.1%<\/p>\n

sad 3.0%<\/p>\n

mixed 2.9%<\/p>\n

fearful 2.8%<\/p>\n

neutral 2.6%<\/p>\n

satisfied 2.2%<\/p>\n

unemotional 2.1%<\/p>\n

ok 2.0%<\/p>\n

hopeful 1.9%<\/p>\n

confused 1.6%<\/p>\n

scared 1.4%<\/p>\n

concerned 1.3%<\/p>\n

glad 1.3%<\/p>\n

furious 1.1%<\/p>\n

proud 1.1%<\/p>\n

hate 1.0%<\/p>\n

nervous 1.0%<\/p>\n

horrifed 1.0%<\/p>\n

terrible 0.9%<\/p>\n

excited 0.9%<\/p>\n

disgraceful 0.8%<\/p>\n

not good 0.8%<\/p>\n

positive 0.8%<\/p>\n

chaotic 0.7%<\/p>\n

unimpressed 0.7%<\/p>\n

sick 0.6%<\/p>\n

fair 0.6%<\/p>\n

nazi 0.5%<\/p>\n

indifferent 0.5%<\/p>\n

betrayed 0.5%<\/p>\n

annoyed 0.4%<\/p>\n

unhappy 0.4%<\/p>\n

approving 0.4%<\/p>\n

unsure 0.4%<\/p>\n

hopeless 0.4%<\/p>\n

disdainful 0.4%<\/p>\n

embarassed 0.4%<\/p>\n

contempt 0.4%<\/p>\n

joke 0.4%<\/p>\n

apprehensive 0.4%<\/p>\n

dismayed 0.4%<\/p>\n

appalled 0.4%<\/p>\n

disbelief 0.4%<\/p>\n

poor 0.4%<\/p>\n

great 0.3%<\/p>\n

discouraged 0.3%<\/p>\n

pissed 0.3%<\/p>\n

anxious 0.3%<\/p>\n

dislike 0.3%<\/p>\n

racist 0.3%<\/p>\n

ambivalent 0.3%<\/p>\n

ecstatic 0.3%<\/p>\n

disturbed 0.2%<\/p>\n

enraged 0.2%<\/p>\n

infuriated 0.2%<\/p>\n

despair 0.2%<\/p>\n

best 0.2%<\/p>\n

content 0.2%<\/p>\n

optimistic 0.1%<\/p>\n

outraged 0.1%<\/p>\n

But about 8 percent of Republicans reported the feeling as well.<\/p>\n

Republicans who expressed disappointment used words like \u201cbetrayal,\u201d while one said \u201cNot hate but deep dislike of how things are handled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some expressed their dismay that Mr. Trump had not gone far enough: \u201cNot pushing hard enough on immigration and fraud issues,\u201d noted one Republican.<\/p>\n

Voters\u2019 feelings about Trump are locked in place.<\/p>\n

The 54 percent of voters who expressed negative sentiments about Mr. Trump\u2019s presidency so far is nearly identical to the share who said the same in an April 2025 Times\/Siena poll<\/a> in which they were asked a slightly different question regarding what word or phrase they would use to describe Mr. Trump\u2019s presidency.<\/p>\n

Republicans have grown slightly more positive, with 74 percent expressing a positive sentiment, up from 71 percent in April.<\/p>\n

Democrats and independents share very similar sentiments now to those from last spring.<\/p>\n

Sources and methodology<\/p>\n

The data is from a New York Times\/Siena University poll of 1,625 registered voters nationwide conducted Jan. 12 to 17<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For the bar charts, words were categorized by emotion. Responses that were categorized as don\u2019t know, refused or other were excluded. For the word frequency charts, only words with more than one response were shown. Actual responses are lightly edited.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"During the campaign, many voters remembered Donald J. Trump\u2019s first term with warm feelings and nostalgia. In his…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":111618,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[1452,49919,9,11,10,49920,1707,1069,1876],"class_list":["post-111617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york","tag-donald-j","tag-emotions","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-headlines","tag-new-york-news","tag-new-york-times-siena-college-poll","tag-polls-and-public-opinion","tag-trump","tag-united-states-politics-and-government"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111617"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111617\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111618"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}