Trump's approval and our view of the direction of the country for June 29nd
Bottom Line: This is a weekly story to get a reality/temperature check regarding what's really going on with public opinion of the President and our view of the direction of the country. First here's the high point, low point and current ratings for President Trump...
Trump's lowest ratings: 37% approval and 59% disapproval: -22% (8/4/17)
Trump highest approval ratings 45% approval and 43% disapproval (1/27/17): +2%
Trump's current ratings: 44% approval and 53% disapproval: -9%
Despite the incredible volume of significant news and the charged rhetoric alongside it – President Trump's average approval rating remained unchanged at 44% - near the upper end of his range. His disapproval rating did tick up by two points however and the political battle lines are drawn and will remain hostile through the mid-term election cycle from here on out. Especially with the SCOUTS nominee looming.
Also, as has been the case for at least ten months, the average polling doesn't tell the full story. The more likely someone is to vote, the higher the President's overall approval rating – although we're seeing the gap narrow as we're seeing more Americans begin to engage politically for the midterm elections.
With adult only samples his rating over the past week averaged: 41%
Registered voters: 45%
Likely voters: 46%
President Trump's approval rating jumped with registered voters this week but dropped with likely voters. This type of activity would place increased emphasis on voter turnout this year.
Looking at the direction of the country this week...
Where we stood on Inauguration Day:
Right Direction: 30%
Wrong Track: 59%
Net: -29%
Last Week:
Right Direction: 39%
Wrong Track: 52%
Net: -13%
Today:
Right Direction: 39%
Wrong Track: 52%
Net: -13%
Change: +16% under Trump & -2% over the previous update.
We dropped a couple of points this week but still remain near the upper end of our collective view of the country in recent years. Again, the rhetoric, let alone the news cycle, will likely weigh heavily on our optimism from here through the midterms.