“President-elect Donald Trump’s popularity has reached a seven-year high and the majority of Americans approve of his handling of this transition process.” That’s a direct quote from a recent report in Forbes.

54 percent think Donald Trump is handling his transition well. 

Let me insert a quick point of contrast here: In 2016 at this time, Trump had just 40 percent approval. So he’s gone from 40 to 55 percent. 

These new numbers are nothing short of astonishing. My proposition is simple: Trump’s new approval rating is because … wait for it … Trump. Trump is more popular today than he’s ever before because Americans like optimism and Trump’s not only selling hope, he really believes in it. 

He loves this great country. The numbers that support him reflect the nation’s affection for an elected leader who believes in the country and its essential goodness, and says so, again and again and again.

If you are wishing the country well, you should be hoping that Trump’s numbers, like those in the markets, continue to rise.