Americans split on whether Democrats should compromise with Trump

A new Angus Reid Global poll finds Americans nearly evenly divided on whether Democrats should work with President Trump or hold the line as they prepare to take control of Congress in January. Few expect the parties to cooperate over the next two years, even as views of the country and local communities are more upbeat than views of the political climate.

Why it matters: - Americans are sending mixed signals to Democrats as the party prepares to control both chambers of Congress in January. - The poll suggests little public confidence that Democrats and Republicans can cooperate meaningfully over the next two years. - The split sets up a potential clash between governing pragmatism and partisan resistance as President Trump returns to dealing with a Democratic Congress.

What happened: - Angus Reid Global found that 45% of Americans think Democrats in Congress should work with President Trump to get things done, even if that means compromising on some priorities. - Another 40% say Democrats should stick to their agenda and counter the president in some cases, even if that means getting less done. - Fifteen percent are not sure. - Just 17% are optimistic that Democrats and Republicans can work together over the next two years. - Fifty-five percent are pessimistic about bipartisan cooperation.

The details: - Most Republicans, 84%, want Democrats to work with the president. - Most Democrats, 72%, want Democrats to stick to their agenda. - Among people who lean toward neither party, 38% favor working with Trump, 32% prefer sticking to the agenda and 30% are unsure. - Men are more likely than women to favor working with the president, 52% versus 39%. - Women are more likely to be unsure, 20% versus 10%. - Support for working with the president is higher among adults 55 and older, at 52%, than among adults 18 to 34, at 39%. - Pessimism about cooperation crosses party lines, including 70% of Republicans and 45% of Democrats. - Americans are more optimistic than pessimistic about the direction of the country, 48% versus 31%. - Americans are also more optimistic about their local community, 42% versus 23%, and the future of American democracy, 42% versus 34%. - Views on personal finances are closer, with 36% optimistic and 30% pessimistic. - More Americans are pessimistic than optimistic about the outcome of the war with Iran, 35% versus 24%. - Democrats are far more optimistic than Republicans about the direction of the country, 81% versus 20%. - Democrats are also much more optimistic about the future of American democracy, 71% versus 20%. - Half of Americans, 50%, say people like them have become worse off over the past two years. - One-in-five, 21%, say people like them have become much worse off. - Only 18% say people like them are better off. - Two-thirds, 67%, say the wealthiest Americans have become better off. - Majorities say the same about large corporations, 58%, and people with political power and connections, 56%. - Half, 52%, say Donald Trump has become better off. - Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say people like them are worse off, 62% versus 37%. - Majorities of both parties say the wealthiest Americans are better off, including 74% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans. - Americans with household incomes under $50,000 are more likely than those with incomes of $100,000 or more to say they are worse off, 55% versus 39%. - Angus Reid Global surveyed 1,532 U.S. adults online from Nov. 4-6, 2026. - The sample was weighted by age, gender, region, education, ethnicity and 2024 presidential vote. - The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points for comparison purposes. - The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by Angus Reid Global. - Detailed results were made available by the pollster.

Between the lines: - The public appears more willing to reward compromise than either party’s base, but partisan instincts still dominate where voters place responsibility for governing. - The broad pessimism about cooperation suggests Washington’s next two years could be marked by gridlock even if some voters want deals. - The financial split points to a persistent belief that gains are flowing to the top, not to ordinary households.

What's next: - Democrats will enter January under pressure to decide whether to bargain with Trump or use their congressional leverage to confront him. - Public expectations may shape how aggressively Democratic leaders pursue legislation, oversight and messaging. - Further polling will likely show whether perceptions shift once the new Congress and Trump’s next moves are underway.