Here are figures closely scrutinized on all floors of the White House. Five months before the US presidential election, the popularity rating of Donald Trump seems to have had its feet in the wings.
A fall of more than 10% in polls in less than three months
In mid-March 2020, almost 46% of those questioned by various polling institutes seemed to approve the policy of the 45th president of the United States. Its approval rating has been improving steadily since January 2019, when it dropped below 40%. In addition to his strong positions, the good economic results, especially the low unemployment rate, had the effect of boosting his image in public opinion.
But for 3 months, the president has lost his luster, plummeting by more than 10% in the polls. The coronavirus crisis has gone through this.
A candidate in bad shape compared to his predecessors
On the 1243rd day of his mandate, Donald Trump cannot therefore claim to be the most popular of American presidents since the Second World War. Out of eleven presidents having reached the end of their first mandate, it is only 8th with 41.1% approval as of June 15, 2020.
At the height of the Cold War, Eisenhower was supported by more than 70% of those polled. Nixon, Reagan and Clinton, all running for a second term, all had more than 50% popularity at this stage of the competition.
Three presidents re-elected despite low popularity
However, these trends offer only a very partial view of the outcome of a more uncertain election than ever.
The two predecessors of Donald Trump also suffered from a slight disenchantment within six months of their re-election. As of the 1243rd day of their mandate, they were respectively at 47% and 48% approval ratings. Before prevailing.
But it is George Bush senior who seems to have had the lowest popularity at this stage of the mandate. He seems never to have been able to maintain the flame fueled during the Gulf War in February 1991. And lost the election of 1992, after only one mandate…
