With the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, a renewed sense of optimism regarding the U.S. economic outlook has emerged among Americans. A recent Gallup poll, conducted in early January 2025 just before Trump's inauguration, reveals a positive shift in public sentiment.

A notable 53% of Americans now believe the economy will experience growth within the next six months. Furthermore, an even larger portion, 61%, anticipate a rise in the stock market. This positive sentiment is particularly strong among Republicans, with 78% expecting economic growth and 75% predicting a stock market surge.

While optimism prevails regarding economic growth and the stock market, opinions on unemployment are more divided. The Gallup poll shows a near-even split, with 38% foreseeing an increase in unemployment and another 38% anticipating a decrease. The remaining 21% believe unemployment rates will remain relatively stable over the coming six months.

Inflation remains a concern for many, with 52% expecting it to rise. However, this figure represents a significant decrease from previous polls, where the number approached 80%. This suggests a potential easing of inflation fears among the public.

Independents largely echo the positive sentiment, with 61% predicting economic growth and 60% expecting a rising stock market. Democrats, however, are less optimistic, with only 21% forecasting economic growth. Nonetheless, a slight majority of Democrats, 51%, do anticipate a positive stock market trend.

Gallup attributes the surge in economic optimism partly to Republicans' expectations of improved economic conditions under a Republican president. The organization also notes Trump's historically strong approval ratings on economic matters during his first term, which often exceeded President Biden's ratings on the same issue. This suggests continued public confidence in Trump's economic leadership.

The Gallup poll, conducted between January 2nd and 15th, 2025, surveyed a representative sample of 1,005 U.S. adults. The margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.