The most popular member of Trump’s top staff and Cabinet picks is Sen. Marco Rubio, the Florida Republican nominated to be the new secretary of state. According to a new Morning Consult survey, 45% approve of Rubio versus 34% who don’t.

He’s followed by billionaire adviser Elon Musk (slated to run a blue-ribbon government efficiency team), Mike Huckabee (who has been picked as ambassador to Israel), and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (who has been named to lead the Health and Human Services Department).

Staff aides Stephen Miller, who is slated to be the new president’s policy chief, and Susie Wiles, the incoming chief of staff, are also above water in the approval ratings from Morning Consult.

.@realDonaldTrump is getting decent marks from voters for his handling of his transition.

Dive in –> https://t.co/cSItoNw3bD pic.twitter.com/WN9Pe3WTbO

— Eli Yokley (@eyokley) November 19, 2024

The only unpopular member is Matt Gaetz, the former Florida lawmaker named as attorney general. His disapproval rating of 41% is higher than his approval rating of 34%. Since he was picked, the media and congressional Democrats have poured their disapproval on Gaetz.

Overall, the public likes what it has seen from Trump. The survey found 54% approve of the transition so far. Just 38% disapprove.

“A majority of voters like the way President-elect Donald Trump is handling his transition, according to a new Morning Consult survey that also found little resistance to — or even awareness of — even the more controversial of the people he’s named to fill out his incoming administration,” the analysis said.

It added: “President Joe Biden’s numbers were only slightly better than Trump’s at the same point four years ago, when 60% approved and 28% disapproved.”

The poll showed that Trump is in the driver’s seat when it comes to deciding who to pick for his top team and what his agenda will be. It suggested that foes, especially in the Republican Party, should stand down.

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“The president-elect is enjoying some initial deference from the American people about the way he’s handling his transition and the names he’s choosing to fill his government,” the survey said.

The analysis added: “For Republican senators, Trump’s standing and the popularity of his nominees with the Republican base they’re so focused on leaves little political incentive to defy the incoming president.”