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First Lady Melania Trump's favorability rating has risen 17 points since January to 54 percent, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Just one-third of Americans say they have an unfavorable view of the first lady, while 13 percent of Americans say they had no opinion.
On "Fox & Friends First," Andy Och, an author and expert on the history of America's first ladies, said this jump in favorability can be easily explained: "The more we see of her, the more we like her."
Merry Christmas from President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.@POTUS & @FLOTUS are seen Tuesday, December 5, in their official 2017 Christmas portrait, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C.
(Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks) pic.twitter.com/WRvY1sUUuw— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 14, 2017
He pointed out that she got a later start than some previous first ladies, as she waited for her son, Barron Trump, to finish the school year in New York City before she moved into the White House.
He said that since she moved to D.C. in June, the first lady has gotten involved in her husband's administration and maintained a more public presence.
Och added that criticism of Mrs. Trump's White House Christmas decorations may have represented a turning point in how people viewed the first lady.
The decorations are up! @WhiteHouse is ready to celebrate! Wishing you a Merry Christmas & joyous holiday season! pic.twitter.com/d6ZuyeFvrw
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) November 27, 2017
"People on both sides of the aisle were saying, 'Why don't we leave Christmas out of this? And no matter what your politics are, we don't have to destroy and tear down the first lady for her decorations,'" Och said, arguing that people are simply tired of the biased, negative coverage.
Although Mrs. Trump's favorable rating has improved, she still rates behind other first ladies at roughly comparable points in time. Michelle Obama (61 percent), Laura Bush (77 percent) and Hillary Clinton (58 percent) all had higher favorable ratings in the fall of their husband's first year in office.
Great day with military families at @JBABdc as we sorted toys for children. Thank you to @ToysForTots_USA for all that you do for kids across the country. Merry #Christmas! pic.twitter.com/SdZdxGEMu9
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 13, 2017
Meantime, President Trump is viewed unfavorably by a majority of Americans in the poll. 56 percent view the president unfavorably, while 41 percent view him favorably.
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.
Watch more above.
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