In the wake of nationwide protests and the economic fallout caused by the global pandemic, President Trump's approval numbers have dropped to a startlingly low point in the summer before an election.
According to a new Gallup poll, Trump's approval rating is now at 39%, a ten point drop from his personal record of 49% in May.
Not sure that I have ever seen a ten-point drop in Gallup presidential approval rating from 1 poll to the next, from 49% to 39% in less than a month. https://t.co/kh2gvggyaQ
— Charlie Cook (@CharlieCookDC) June 10, 2020
Though President Trump has never broken above 50% job approval, he's enjoyed a steady base of supporters who generally keep his rates hovering around 40%.
An story in 3 acts:
- CNN Reports a 39% approval
- Trump pays lawyers to say its fake
- Gallup reports a 39% approval rating
— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) June 10, 2020
Though the 5% of Democrats who approve of Trump's work as President isn't surprising, more notable are his drops in approval among Republicans and Independents. The President's approval from both of these groups has dropped 7%.
Wild times.
Trump approval: 39% [Gallup]
BLM approval: 62% [Rasmussen!]
— Doug Henwood (@DougHenwood) June 10, 2020
The only two incumbent Presidents who have recorded polling numbers in the thirties the June before reelection, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, were voted out after their first terms.
The last time Gallup registered a double-digit decline in a president's job approval in one polling cycle?
April/May 1993.https://t.co/nDT2wM33Po
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) June 10, 2020
Trump's job approval in the new Gallup data is at 39%, which is bad but not the big story. That big story is the fact that Trump's new numbers represent a double-digit tumble from a Gallup poll just two weeks ago in which his approval stood at 49%.@realDonaldTrump
— Phyllis (@Phyllis44644501) June 11, 2020
Some have speculated that the President's mishandling of the global pandemic combined with his choice to deploy the military against citizens protesting police brutality might have had a negative impact on his polling numbers.
Encouraging news, no doubt. But will never cease to be amazed by how many Americans still support him. SMH again and again.
— Scott Ellner 🐾 (@imscotte1) June 10, 2020
Others were quick to point out, however, that Gallup's poll was conducted from May 28 and June 4, prior to the publication of better-than-expected jobs reports from May. Some suspect that Trump's approval numbers might begin moving upward again once the nation's economy begins reopening.
Trump is the worst President at the worst time. Can't wait until November.
— Ron Waxman 🏳️🌈 (@RonWaxman) June 10, 2020
That having been said, the number of people who approve of Trump's handling of the economy has also decreased from 63% to 47%, one of the lowest points of his time in office.
Trump approval drops down to 85% in Gallup's tracker. GOP should strike now-while the iron is hot. https://t.co/L7dHsh9jkx
— Rachel "The Doc" Bitecofer 📈🔭🍌 (@RachelBitecofer) June 10, 2020
President's Trump approval rating is sure to play an important role in the upcoming elections, which many believe will act as a referendum on his time in office.
