While President Trump’s overall disapproval numbers have reached “record highs”, he is keeping his loyal base of supporters. However, he is losing support among independents that is unlikely to come back, according to a Wednesday release of a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll.
But what will probably hurt Trump even more is knowing that he just can’t best Obama. A huge, 24-point margin of Americans believe President Obama was a far more effective leader than Trump, 58% to 29% – and among independents, it’s even worse, with a 35-point margin of 65% to 29%.
“In addition, by a 24-point margin, Americans believe former President Obama was, by far, a more effective leader in comparison to Trump, 58 percent to 34 percent. Among independents, there’s an even more pronounced 36-point difference, 65 to 29 percent.”
This will be particularly galling for the man who keeps accusing President Obama, without proof, of various crimes- from wiretapping Trump to “colluding” with the Russians, for which Trump associates are actually under FBI investigation right now.
Only 37% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 51% disapprove. But the biggest loss for the President is among independents.
“The most pronounced swing the poll found was among independents. Over the past four months, their approval of the president has dissipated. In February, 40 percent of independents said they approved of the job Trump was doing, with 51 percent disapproving. Four months later in June, just 31 percent say they approve of the president with 59 percent of independents disapproving — a 17 point net-negative drop.”
They’ve lost confidence in Trump’s ability to improve the economy, and this is likely driving down their approval numbers. “Just 31 percent of independents say they have confidence in Trump’s ability to improve the U.S. economy, while 49 percent doubt he can do so. Just three months ago, 44 percent thought Trump could turn around the economy, while 38 percent didn’t — a whiplash-worthy 24-point swing.”
President Trump has shown himself to be obsessed with former President Obama during his short five months in office. Trump spent Obama’s presidency trying to delegitimize Obama with the birther conspiracy Trump just couldn’t quit, even when the evidence debunked Trump’s rantings.
Now Trump is president and the nation rather desperately seems to want President Obama back. By a 24-point margin, Americans see President Obama as an effective leader; they do not see President Trump as an effective leader. That’s a huge number, especially so early in Trump’s term.
Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump.
Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.
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