NBC News/Marist Survey Highlights Growing Confidence in America’s Direction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A wave of optimism is sweeping the nation as recent polls reveal that a significant number of Americans believe the country is finally on the “right track” under the influence of former President Donald Trump—the highest percentage recorded since 2004. According to a new NBC News/Marist survey released today, 44% of registered voters now feel positive about the direction of the United States, a stark contrast to the pervasive pessimism of recent years and a figure not seen in over two decades.

The poll, conducted from March 7-11, marks a dramatic shift in public sentiment since Trump’s re-election in November 2024. Just months ago, only 27% of Americans expressed similar optimism, a number that has steadily climbed as Trump’s policies and leadership style reassert their imprint on the national stage. This surge to 44% represents the highest level of confidence in the country’s trajectory since the early years of George W. Bush’s presidency, when economic stability and post-9/11 unity briefly buoyed public morale.

“This is a clear sign that Americans are responding to President Trump’s vision,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Tuesday briefing. “The people see strength, decisive action, and results—and they’re rewarding that with their trust.” The administration points to Trump’s aggressive moves on border security, economic deregulation, and a hardline stance against federal overreach as key drivers of this newfound optimism.

The NBC News/Marist findings align with other recent surveys, including a CNN poll showing Trump’s approval rating climbing to 47%—tying his all-time high. Among Republicans, approval soars to near-unanimous levels, with 87% backing his performance, while independents show a growing openness to his agenda, with 42% expressing approval. Even as 51% of voters still disapprove of Trump personally, the poll suggests that many are separating their feelings about the man from their views on the country’s path.

Conservative commentators have seized on the data as vindication of Trump’s leadership. “The silent majority is speaking loud and clear,” wrote columnist Ben Shapiro on X. “They’re tired of the woke elite and want a country that works for them again.” Posts on the platform echoed this sentiment, with users like @MarioNawfal noting that the 44% “right track” figure is “the highest since 2004—a massive shift under Trump’s influence.”

Yet, the optimism is far from universal. Democrats remain deeply skeptical, with only 27% viewing the country’s direction favorably—a stark partisan divide that underscores the polarized state of American politics. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dismissed the poll as a fleeting “honeymoon phase,” warning that Trump’s policies, including proposed cuts to federal programs, could soon erode this goodwill. “The numbers may look good now, but wait until the reality of his agenda hits home,” Schumer said in a statement.

As of March 25, 2025, the NBC News/Marist poll offers a snapshot of a nation at a crossroads—hopeful yet divided, buoyed by Trump’s return but wary of what lies ahead. For now, though, the former president’s shadow looms large, steering America toward a confidence not seen in a generation.