Half of Americans disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs
Presidents often return from foreign trips with a boost in approval. But that hasn’t happened for President Trump. In this week’s Economist/YouGov Poll the President’s approval rating dropped to what is now his all-time low. Just 34% of Americans approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job; 55% disapprove.
Only 17%, matching the lowest percentage ever, say they strongly approve. More than twice as many, 43%, strongly disapprove. That also matches the highest strong disapproval percentage.
Of course, the President retains support from Republicans, three-quarters of whom approve of his performance, as do 71% of conservatives. The President also has support from those 65 and older, a majority of whom approve of his performance in office, with a third of senior citizens strongly approving.
Not only did the President’s approval rating drop this week, but so has the President’s overall favorable rating, which is also at its lowest level ever. Just in the last week, the President’s favorable rating dropped five points, while his unfavorable rating rose by four.
The Congressional focus on repealing the Affordable Care Act (and its failure to do so) may have brought unwanted attention to the health care debate. It is clearly an issue where Americans oppose the President; a majority disapprove of how he has handled health care. His health care rating is the worst he has ever received, with the approval percentage matching the lowest ever, and the disapprove percentage matching the past high.
And half of Americans – more than ever before – disapprove of the way the President is handling foreign policy. Only a third approve.
The Congressional tax debate isn’t helping either. Nearly half, more than ever before, disapprove of his performance on that issue, while only 35% approval. Even on issues like the economy and terrorism, where the public has frequently provided positive assessments of the President’s performance, the balance of opinion is now negative.
This poll was conducted after the drubbing Republicans took in the 2017 state and local elections. And the public’s assessment of the President’s party is right in step with those losses. The Republican Party is viewed unfavorably by nearly two-thirds of the public, more than ever before. And for Republicans in Congress, the assessment is just as bad.
Three-quarters of those who identify as Republicans have a favorable opinion of their party in general, but the percentage of Republicans expressing a positive view of their own party in Congress is 19 points lower. Just 16% of Republicans are very favorable towards the Congressional GOP.
Democrats feel better about their party. 82% are favorable about their party in general, while three-quarters have a favorable view of the Democrats in Congress.
One good sign for the President: last week, just after the indictments of members of the Trump campaign, the share of Republicans who wanted the President to run for re-election dropped seven points. It has jumped back up this week to 66%, where it had been before the indictments.
For more, read complete results here.
Photo: Getty
