Background on Donald Trump and His Relevance
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, served from January 2017 to January 2021. Known for his divisive rhetoric and controversial policies, Trump remains a significant figure in American politics even after his presidency. His influence and public image continue to be a subject of interest, as demonstrated by his reaction to recent poll results.
Trump’s Response to Unfavorable Polls
On Monday, Trump accused several U.S. media outlets of being “sick” and suggested they should be investigated for “election fraud.” This came after the publication of several unfavorable polls indicating a decline in his popularity.
Trump primarily blames the Washington Post, ABC News, and the New York Times, which have recently released surveys suggesting a drop in approval ratings.
“They’re sick, they hardly write anything else but negative articles about me, regardless of how well I’m doing… they are truly enemies of the people,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s Criticism of Pollsters
Trump dismissed the credibility of these polls, citing respected pollster John McLaughlin. According to Trump, these organizations are “criminal pessimists” who lose credibility when their polls fail to accurately predict his electoral success.
“They apologize to their subscribers and readers when I win by a large margin, lose much credibility, and then continue to deceive and lie,” Trump added.
Poll Details and Comparison with Joe Biden
Washington Post and ABC News Poll:
Conducted in April among 2,464 participants, this survey found that 39% of respondents approved of Trump’s presidential leadership, a decrease from 45% in February.
New York Times Poll:
Released on Friday, this poll of 913 participants placed Trump’s approval rating at 42%.
Pew Research Center Poll:
This survey, conducted among 3,589 participants, reported a favorable opinion of Trump at 40%, down from 47% in February.
These ratings are significantly lower than those of his successor, Joe Biden, who had an approval rating of 54% in April 2021 at the same point in his presidency.
NBC News Poll Results
A poll conducted by NBC News among 19,682 individuals aged 18 and over in April found that more than half (55%) disapproved of Trump’s governance style.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the media outlets Trump is criticizing? Trump has primarily targeted the Washington Post, ABC News, and the New York Times.
- What are the recent poll results showing? Multiple polls indicate a decline in Trump’s approval ratings, with scores ranging from 39% to 42%, significantly lower than Joe Biden’s ratings at a similar point in his presidency.
- Why is Trump’s reaction significant? Trump’s response highlights the ongoing influence of his public persona and the impact of poll results on his perception, even after leaving office.