Poll: Most Americans Doubt Trump Can Handle Presidential Duties

Less than half of the Americans who participated in a new poll are confident that President-elect Donald Trump can handle several of the job's duties once he takes office this month. Solid majorities, however, were confident in Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton when they assumed the executive post. The Gallup poll, conducted Dec. 7 through Dec. 11, showed that only 46 percent of respondents are confident Trump will be able to handle an international crisis. Only 47 percent believe he will wisely use military force. By contrast, 60 percent of those polled believe Trump will be effectively able to work with Congress. Fifty-nine percent of the total respondents believe he will handle the economy effectively. Only 14 percent of the Democrats polled have confidence he will prevent scandals, and a low 35 percent of that same group anticipates he will be able to work with Congress.