Most approved of Trump speech: Snap polls

Most people watching President Trump’s first joint address to Congress since returning to office approved of his speech, according to snap polls. 

Seventy-six percent of people approved of the president’s remarks, while 23 percent disapproved as reported Wednesday in CBS News and YouGov survey results.

A majority of respondents, 63 percent, said Trump spent a lot of time on issues they cared about, compared to 28 percent who said the opposite. Another 9 percent said he spent no time at all on their topics of interest.

Respondents also noted his speech left them with a positive feeling overall; 68 percent said the speech made them feel hopeful, 54 percent said it made them proud, and 27 percent were worried by the remarks while 16 percent said they were angry, according to the data.

CNN’s instant polling captured a similar response, with 44 percent of speech watchers viewing Trump’s remarks as very positive. About 25 percent said his remarks were somewhat positive, and 31 percent felt they were negative.

Half of the survey respondents said they are confident in the president’s leadership, 45 percent felt he would use his presidential power responsibly and 40 percent of people said he would help people like them, the poll showed.

Trump hammered down on his objective to reduce federal spending, illegal immigration and boost border security in his remarks. 

Congress members were largely divided over the address, with a group of Democratic lawmakers leaving halfway through the speech. It was the longest joint session oration by a president in modern history. 

Trump received rounds of applause and standing ovations from Republican legislators numerous times throughout the night, especially after chiding those in attendance for disruptions. 

“I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them [Democrats] happy or make them stand and smile or applaud,” Trump said during his remarks. 

“I could find a cure to the most devastating diseases. A disease that would wipe out entire nations, or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history … and these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements.”

Trump’s Cabinet members including Elon Musk were recognized and commended for their work throughout their first few months in new roles, while first lady Melania Trump was saluted by the president for her work on the “Take It Down Act,” which aims to criminalize sexually explicit deepfakes made with the help of artificial intelligence. 

Updated at 9:08 a.m. EST.