February Caps / Harris Poll: Trump's State Of The Union Address Gets A 60% Favorable Rating, With All 11 New Policies Receiving Majority Support

Rhea-AI Summary

Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) released the February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll (Feb 25-26, 2026; n=1,999). President Trump's approval is 46%. Among viewers, 60% rated the State of the Union favorable and all 11 announced policies received majority support.

Key policy supports: stock trading ban for members 72%, federal accounts for employees 70%, ban on Wall Street single-family home purchases 69%. Poll covers economy, tariffs, voter ID, foreign policy, and midterm preferences.

Key Figures

Favorable SOTU rating: 60% New policies: 11 policies Trump approval: 46% +5 more

8 metrics

Favorable SOTU rating 60% Share of viewers with favorable opinion of Trump’s State of the Union

New policies 11 policies Number of Trump policies announced in the address with majority support

Trump approval 46% Overall presidential approval rating in February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll

Economy strong 51% Voters saying U.S. economy is strong today

Economy better than Biden era 52% Voters saying economy is better today than when Biden was president

Gaza deal support 73% Voters supporting Trump’s deal on Israeli hostages and Gaza cease-fire

Maduro arrest support 59% Voters supporting arrest of Nicolás Maduro

Survey sample size 1,999 voters Registered voters surveyed online Feb. 25–26, 2026

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.82 Vol: Volume 1,291,249 is below...

normal vol

$4.82 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,291,249 is below the 20-day average of 1,640,662 (relative volume 0.79x). normal

Technical Trading below its 200-day MA, with price at $4.82 versus 200-day MA of $5.19.

Peers on Argus

STGW slipped 0.62% while peers were mixed: QNST gained 2.54%, IAS rose 0.78%, CR...

STGW slipped 0.62% while peers were mixed: QNST gained 2.54%, IAS rose 0.78%, CRTO inched up 0.17%, and ZD (-0.59%) and EEX (-3.02%) declined, pointing to stock-specific trading rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 26 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 26	Investor conferences	Positive	+6.8%	Announced participation in two March 2026 investor conferences with 1x1 meetings.
Feb 24	Client win	Positive	+2.5%	Assembly chosen by Jabra to lead global paid media and Amazon growth.
Feb 18	Research study	Positive	+1.1%	Released German Future of News study highlighting strong engagement and ad safety.
Feb 17	Earnings schedule	Neutral	+1.1%	Scheduled Mar. 10, 2026 webcast to discuss Q4 and full-year 2025 results.
Feb 9	Super Bowl work	Positive	+2.9%	Showcased agency performance and reach around Super Bowl LX campaigns.

Pattern Detected

Recent news flow has generally coincided with positive price reactions, including conferences, client wins, and marketing studies.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, STGW has highlighted several marketing and client-related milestones. A Super Bowl campaign recap on Feb. 9, 2026 and a German news study on Feb. 18, 2026 both saw modest gains. A new global media mandate with Jabra on Feb. 24, 2026 and a March investor conference schedule on Feb. 26, 2026 also aligned with positive moves. Today’s political polling release continues the company’s pattern of leveraging its research assets for visibility.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Stagwell’s role in the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, showcasing its resea...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Stagwell’s role in the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, showcasing its research capabilities on politically salient topics such as economic perceptions, tariffs, voter integrity, and foreign policy. It follows earlier marketing and client-focused updates in February 2026. Investors may watch how effectively this kind of high-visibility polling supports client demand, alongside upcoming earnings on Mar. 10, 2026 and integration of recently acquired digital assets.

Key Terms

tariffs, free enterprise, medicaid, voter id, +2 more

6 terms

tariffs financial

"decision limiting executive power to impose tariffs in non-emergencies"

Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on goods imported from other countries. They increase the cost of those goods, which can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact international trade. For investors, tariffs matter because they can influence the profitability of companies, affect supply chains, and shift economic stability across different regions.

free enterprise financial

"76% of Americans support free enterprise over socialist policies"

An economic system in which private individuals and companies are free to start and run businesses, set prices, and compete with limited government control; it's like a public marketplace where anyone can open a stall and try to attract customers. For investors it matters because this environment shapes how easily new companies enter markets, how fiercely they compete, and how predictable profits and risks are, which affects potential returns and portfolio strategy.

medicaid medical

"Trump's least popular policies include ... Medicaid cost cuts (42%)"

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides medical coverage to low-income individuals, families, elderly people and people with disabilities, administered jointly by the federal government and state governments in the United States. For investors, Medicaid matters because changes in eligibility, funding, or payment rules can alter patient volume and the prices hospitals, nursing homes, insurers and medical suppliers receive—similar to how a large customer or contract can shift a company’s revenue outlook.

voter id regulatory

"The majority of voters support specific requirements of the Act, including ... voter ID (81%)"

A voter ID law or requirement means people must show an approved form of identification to cast a ballot in an election. For investors, voter ID matters because it can affect turnout and the composition of elected governments or regulatory bodies that set tax, trade and corporate rules — think of it like a gatekeeper that can change who gets to pick the referees who make rules affecting markets and companies.

stock trading ban financial

"most popular being a stock trading ban on Congressional members (72%)"

A stock trading ban is an official prohibition that stops buying or selling a particular company's shares for some or all market participants for a set time. Think of it as a temporary traffic light that freezes trading while regulators, exchanges, or companies sort out important issues like investigations, missing information, or suspected wrongdoing. For investors it matters because it halts liquidity and price discovery, can lock in gains or losses, and forces short-term adjustments to risk and portfolio plans.

sanctions regulatory

"provide weapons to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia"

Sanctions are measures imposed by governments or international organizations to restrict trade, financial transactions, or other activities with a country, organization, or individual. They are used to influence behavior or punish actions considered unacceptable, much like a referee penalizing players in a game. For investors, sanctions can affect markets, limit access to certain assets, and create risks or opportunities depending on the evolving restrictions.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

52% OF VOTERS SAY ECONOMY IS BETTER TODAY THAN UNDER BIDEN, UP 5 PTS. FROM JANUARY

65% OF VOTERS AGREE WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION LIMITING EXECUTIVE POWER TO IMPOSE TARIFFS IN NON-EMERGENCIES

85% OF VOTERS SAY ONLY U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE WITH 71% SUPPORTING THE SAVE AMERICA ACT

THE MIDTERMS HORSERACE IS TIED, BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE A 4-PT. MESSAGING EDGE AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

76% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT FREE ENTERPRISE OVER SOCIALIST POLICIES, WITH STRONG CONSENSUS FOR PRIVATE HOMEOWNERSHIP, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND PRIVATELY RUN GROCERY STORES

59% OF VOTERS NOW SUPPORT MADURO'S ARREST AND VENEZUELA INTERVENTION, A 5-PT. INCREASE, AND 62% SAY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PUSH VENEZUELA TOWARDS DEMOCRACY

NEW YORK, NY and CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 2, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 46%, showing slight improvements across nearly every policy area. His job approval is highest on fighting crime in America's cities (51%), immigration (48%), and returning America to its values (48%); and lowest on responding to anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis (42%) and tariffs and trade policy (43%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the State of the Union, overall economy, midterms, recent Supreme Court ruling, voter ID requirements, economic ideology, and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, the Middle East, and Ukraine. We will release a special follow-up report later this week on the conflict in Iran. Download the key results here.

"The Americans are single-mindedly focused on the economy, and this poll shows there is room for people to change their opinion as we're seeing some improvement in the long-term trend," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "The administration has to keep working on explaining its economic policy to change the minds of voters ahead of the midterms."

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN PERCEPTIONS OF THE ECONOMY

• 51% of voters say the U.S. economy is strong today (+2 pts., Jan. 2026; +8 pts., Nov. 2025).

• 36% of voters say their personal financial situation is improving (+4 pts., Nov. 2025), particularly among Republican, male, likely midterm, 25-44 y.o., and urban voters.

• 52% of voters say the economy is better today than it was when Biden was president (+5 pts., Jan. 2026). 59% attribute today's economy to Trump (Democrats: 75%; Republicans: 44%; Independents: 58%).

• 52% of voters say the economy is shrinking (-4). 62% think inflation is above 3 percent, including a majority across political parties (-4).

VOTERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MOST OF TRUMP'S POLICIES

• The majority of key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (80% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (75%), eliminating fraud in government expenditures (71%), and capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (69%).

• Trump's least popular policies include removing information about civil rights and climate change from public sites (32% support), Medicaid cost cuts (42%), and hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (45%).

• Inflation and immigration continue to be the nation's top two most important issues today, according to voters, with healthcare increasing in salience this month (+3).

• The Republican Party approval rating is at 48% (+4 pts., Jan. 2026), while the Democratic Party approval rating is at 45% (+1). Congressional approval is at 34% (+2).

FAVORABLE RESPONSE TO STATE OF THE UNION WITH NEW TRUMP POLICIES SEEING STRONG SUPPORT

• 47% of voters say they watched the State of the Union address, with 60% who watched at least some of the address having a favorable opinion of it.

• All 11 of Trump's new policies announced in the address received majority support, with the most popular being a stock trading ban on Congressional members (72%), federal accounts for employees without retirement plans (70%), a ban preventing single-family home purchases from Wall Street firms (69%), and a most-favored-nation drug pricing deal (68%).

• 52% of voters say it was appropriate for some Democrats to boycott the address, but 57% say their booing and jeering was inappropriate.

• 33% of voters watched the Democratic rebuttal speech by Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger, with 61% who watched at least some of the speech having a favorable opinion of it.

REPUBLICANS GAIN EDGE POST-EXPOSURE TO PARTY MESSAGING IF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD TODAY

• Voters are split 50-50 on which party they would vote for if the congressional election were held today (Republicans +4 pts., Jan. 2026).

• When given statements about party messaging, Republican messaging on responsible governance via curbed spending, closed borders, and reduced crime resonates most, with more than 2 in 5 voters, a plurality, saying the messages make them more likely to vote Republican.

• Anti-Trump messaging from Democrats is more effective than affordability messaging, with 61% of voters saying messages on stopping Trump and his tariffs are believable. However, the message only delivers a net +2 boost in likely vote choice toward Democrats.

• After exposure to each party's messaging, 51% of voters say they are more likely to vote for a Republican for Congress than a Democrat. The Republican lead grows to 4 pts. among likely voters.

VOTERS AGREE WITH SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST TRUMP'S TARIFFS

• 65% of voters agree with the Supreme Court's ruling limiting Trump's power to impose global tariffs without congressional approval, including a majority across political parties.

• 62% of voters say fentanyl/drug trafficking and large U.S. trade deficits are real issues and emergencies facing the country (Democrats: 43%; Republicans: 81%; Independents: 59%), but 42%, a plurality, say the president should not have authority to impose tariffs in non-emergency situations.

• 56% of voters oppose Trump's new 15% global tariff after the Supreme Court ruling.

• 51% of voters oppose Trump's tariffs imposed last year, with 54% saying the tariffs went too far.

MOST VOTERS BACK THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, BELIEVING ONLY U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE

• 58% of voters believe there is at least some voter fraud in U.S. elections, particularly among Republicans (77%) and Independents (58%), despite 60% saying the elections are generally secure.

• 85% of voters say only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote, including a strong majority across political parties.

• 71% of voters support the SAVE America Act (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 91%; Independents: 69%), with 54% prioritizing stopping voter fraud over access concerns for eligible citizens.

• The majority of voters support specific requirements of the Act, including proof of citizenship (75%), voter ID (81%), states removing non-citizens from voter rolls (80%), and states sharing redacted voting rolls with the Department of Homeland Security (61%).

• 73% of voters say we should have a national law requiring all ballots to be counted within 24 hours of Election Day.

• 68% of voters support early voting, including a majority across political parties.

AMERICANS ARE OVERWHLEMINGLY PRO-FREE ENTERPRISE

• 76% of voters say America should be run as a free enterprise country, including a strong majority across political parties, and 78% believe they have a better life under such a system.

• 59% say capitalism is a better economic system than socialism (Democrats: 46%; Republicans: 74%; Independents: 57%).

• 91% of voters support private homeownership, private property rights, and freedom of opinion. 84% believe grocery stores should be privately run.

• 65% of voters believe the people own their own houses, not the state, under socialism, including a majority across political parties.

• 52% of voters say teachers' unions are heavily involved in politics, with most viewing them as in the political center (41%) or left-leaning (37%). 60% say they should not be involved in political issues (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 63%; Independents: 66%).

MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR TRUMP'S GAZA DEAL

• 73% of voters support Trump's deal to secure the safe return of Israeli hostages and end hostilities in Gaza (+6), including a majority across political parties and age groups.

• 71% of voters continue to support Israel over Hamas in the conflict.

MORE VOTERS SUPPORT MADURO'S ARREST VERSUS LAST MONTH, WANT MORE AGGRESSIVE U.S. STANCE AGAINST DICTATORS AND DRUG CARTELS

• 59% of voters support the arrest of Nicolás Maduro (+5), with 58% saying his removal was in the national interest of the U.S. (+7; Democrats: 41%; Republicans: 79%; Independents: 52%).

• 54% of voters say the U.S. should try to fix the Venezuelan oil industry (-3), though 51% say the U.S. is not entitled to proceeds.

• 62% of voters believe pushing Venezuela towards a democratic transition should be a key priority for the Trump administration, including a majority across political parties.

• 67% of voters say the U.S. should take a more aggressive stand in our hemisphere against leaders propped up by drug cartels, and 62% support a U.S. maximum pressure campaign on the government of Mexico to fight drug cartels.

• 66% of voters think the U.S. should take a more aggressive stance against dictators propped up by Russia and China (+5).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS WANT THE U.S. TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING UKRAINE

• 66% of voters say Trump should continue to provide weapons to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia, including a majority across political parties.

• 63% of voters say Ukraine should receive direct security guarantees from the U.S. if it makes concessions to end the war.

• 51% of voters support Trump's handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict so far.

The February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on February 25-26, 2026, among 1,999 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

SOURCE: Stagwell

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Stagwell (STGW) report about Trump's overall approval in the February 2026 Harvard CAPS / Harris poll?

Trump's overall approval stood at 46%, showing slight improvement across policy areas. According to Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), approval was highest on crime, immigration, and returning to values, and lowest on Minneapolis protests response and tariffs.

How did viewers rate the State of the Union in the February 2026 poll by Stagwell (STGW)?

60% of viewers who watched at least some of the address had a favorable opinion. According to Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), 47% of voters watched the address and all 11 new policies received majority support.

Which State of the Union policies had the strongest public support in the Stagwell (STGW) February 2026 poll?

Top-supported policies included a Congressional stock trading ban (72%) and federal accounts for employees (70%). According to Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), other high supports included limits on Wall Street home purchases and drug pricing deals.

What did the Stagwell (STGW) February 2026 poll find about public views on the economy versus the Biden era?

52% of voters said the economy is better today than under Biden, up 5 points from January. According to Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), perceptions of personal finances and overall economic strength also rose slightly.

How did the February 2026 Stagwell (STGW) poll measure midterm election preferences after party messaging?

Voters were split 50-50 on congressional preference; Republican messaging produced a net boost. According to Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), exposure to party messages raised likelihood to vote Republican to 51% overall and by 4 points among likely voters.