Poll shows share of Americans who expect political arguments to go with their turkey

NEWS AND OPINION:

“Just a few weeks after the presidential election, many Americans will be sitting down at the Thanksgiving table with relatives — and many are preparing for a political argument,” said Jamie Ballard, a data analyst with YouGov.com, a national pollster.

Yep, there’s a poll.

It found that 17% of Americans say it’s very or somewhat likely they’ll get into an argument about politics during their Thanksgiving celebration this year.

Adults under 30 were likeliest (31%) to say it’s likely they’ll get into a political argument at Thanksgiving, more than the shares of 30- to 44-year-olds (25%), 45- to 64-year-olds (11%) and Americans 65 and older (5%).

Democrats (23%) are slightly more likely than Republicans (18%) to say it’s likely they’ll get into an argument about politics at their Thanksgiving celebration and men (21%) are more likely than women (14%) to say it’s likely.

YouGov conducted two online surveys — one on Nov. 19 among 3,753 U.S. adults, and a second Nov. 19-20 among 9,901 U.S. adults.

CONFIDENCE RISING

“The Conference Board released its report on the Consumer Confidence Index for November 2024. The report showed that overall consumer sentiment rose up in November, showing that as a second Trump Presidency comes into focus, hope for the future rises,” the House Budget Committee said in a brief analysis released Tuesday.

“President Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election and his announcement of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to lead the Treasury Department have sent stock market indices soaring as American consumers and investors have renewed faith in the future of America’s economy,” the analysis said.

“Americans’ confidence in their economic future started turning around when it became evident that the unsustainable deficit spending and failed Biden-Harris policies would be replaced with a Trump economic agenda, and it continues to improve as we get closer to launching round two of a Republican-led surge in economic growth and opportunity,” Rep. Jodey Arrington, Texas Republican and House Budget Committee chairman, said in a written statement.

FOXIFIED

One cable news network continues to best the competition. Ratings numbers for Nov. 11-17, the first full postelection week, released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research tell all.

Fox News draws an average prime-time audience of 3.2 million — nearly three times the combined daily prime-time audiences of MSNBC (696,000 viewers) and CNN (465,000). During daytime viewing hours, Fox News had an audience of 2 million, while MSNBC was the choice for 526,000 viewers and CNN for 366,000 — Fox again drawing comfortably more than double the audience of its two rivals combined.

This marks 45 consecutive months that Fox News has led the cable news ratings race.

Fox News Channel commanded its highest share of the cable news audience in network history across total days, holding 62% of the cable news audience in the historic election month, according to Nielsen. After the presidential election, that share spiked to 73% of the prime-time cable news audience.

In the first postelection week, MSNBC lost 52% of the prime-time viewers it had been averaging so far this year, while CNN lost 36% of its audience.

The current leading programs on the network are “The Five,” with an audience of 4.4 million, followed by “Jesse Watters Primetime” (4 million), “The Ingraham Angle” (3.3 million), “Gutfeld” (also 3.3 million) and “Special Report” (3.2 million).

And one more thing. Fox News Media’s prime-time coverage of election night across Fox News Channel, the Fox network, Fox Business Network and Fox News Digital was seen by 13.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

It is now the “season of small business,” according to the Small Business Administration, which is of course reminding the nation to support small businesses on Small Business Saturday — which is this weekend.

The event was founded by American Express and is now in its 15th year.

And according to American Express, the projected total reported spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday since its founding has now reached an estimated $201 billion.

A GROWING INTEREST

It’s also time for the “Season’s Greenings” exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden, a wondrous place adjacent to the U.S. Capitol. The annual display opens Thanksgiving Day, and here’s what’s in store.

“On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains will run around, below, and above displays of pollinators made from plant parts. These scenes will range from oversized models of a bat pollinating a banana flower, a lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower, an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, and more! About 75% of all flowering plant species need animal pollinators for reproduction. We celebrate pollinators in this display, as they are important for ecosystem health and a sustainable food supply,” the garden said in a guide shared with Inside the Beltway.

“Inside the Conservatory, holiday decorations will include nearly 3,000 vibrant poinsettias and the Garden’s collection of D.C. monuments and landmarks, such as the U.S. Capitol building, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and many more, all made from plant parts. Recent favorites will return, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Gallery of Art East Wing,” the guide added.

The garden will have extended hours on five nights in December, and yes, there’s a gift shop.

Find the information at USBG.gov/SeasonsGreenings.

POLL DU JOUR

• 50% of U.S. adults say they feel “optimistic” about Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election.

• 46% say they feel “relieved.”

• 42% say they feel “excited.”

• 41% say they feel “surprised.”

• 40% say they feel “proud.”

• 38% say they feel “afraid.”

• 31% say they feel “angry.”

• 29% say they feel “devastated.”

SOURCE: A Gallup Poll of 1,001 U.S. adults conducted by telephone Nov. 6-20. Respondents could pick more than one emotional reaction.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.