Poll: Melania Trump's popularity climbs 17 points since January

A majority of Americans have favorable views of first lady Melania TrumpMelania TrumpMelania Trump and Karen Pence visit Whataburger in Texas Melania Trump, Karen Pence to travel to Texas Melania rips report she didn't want to be first lady MORE 11 months after President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for ‘serious case of amnesia’ after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I don’t want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MORE took office, according to a new Gallup poll.

Fifty-four percent of Americans polled said they viewed the first lady favorably, up 17 points from January when only 37 percent of Americans viewed her favorably. 

By comparison, President Trump is viewed unfavorably by a majority of Americans in the poll. Fifty-six percent view the president unfavorably, while 41 percent view him favorably. 

While the first lady's popularity has climbed by double digits in the poll, the president's has stayed relatively the same from his 40 percent to 55 percent favorable-unfavorable rating from January.

The first lady got a later start in Washington than her husband. While the president took office in January, the first lady didn't move into the White House until June, after her son finished the school year.

Since settling into her role, the first lady has maintained a more public presence, attending events such as a Toys for Tots campaign on Wednesday and showing off the official White House Christmas decorations earlier this month. 

Now just a third of Americans, 33 percent, say they have an unfavorable view of the first lady, while 13 percent of Americans say they had no opinion. 

The first lady is still behind her three recent predecessors in terms of favorability during the fall of their husbands' first year in office. 

Laura Bush held a 77 percent favorable rating, while 61 percent of Americans viewed Michelle ObamaMichelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaObama on social media: You’ve got to ‘think before you tweet’ MSNBC trolls Trump with video montage of Obama saying ‘Merry Christmas’ Overnight Regulation: USDA delays healthy school lunch requirements | Senate panel advances controversial environmental pick | Drone industry pushes to ease rules | Dem commish joins energy regulator MORE favorably and 58 percent of Americans viewed Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonGrassley blasts Democrats over unwillingness to probe Clinton GOP lawmakers cite new allegations of political bias in FBI Top intel Dem: Trump Jr. refused to answer questions about Trump Tower discussions with father MORE favorably at the time. 

The Gallup survey of 1,049 adults was conducted Dec. 4-11 via landlines and cellphones with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.