Trump’s Approval Ratings See Improvement Amid Economic Concerns
CNN’s senior data reporter, Harry Enten, noted on Friday that President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are on the rise after a previous dip.
With recession fears looming, Trump’s approval rating shifted from -8 points on April 21 to -1 point as of Tuesday, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos opinion survey. His net approval has also improved from -9 points in late April to -6 points now, based on Enten’s analysis.
“I think we might need a reality check here. Back in late April, Trump’s ratings seemed to be falling rapidly. It felt like he was saying goodbye,” Enten remarked. “But now, he’s making a comeback. Just look at this—his net approval rating among his supporters has surged. He went from being 8 points underwater to just -1. This is not what many expected back in April.”
“I believe many are wishing for his approval to drop further, but according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos data, that’s not happening,” Enten added.
The president’s current -6 net approval rating is markedly better than the -15 points he had on May 16, 2017, Enten pointed out.
“So, Trump isn’t just faring better than he was in late April of this year; he’s also doing quite better than he was during this time in his first term,” Enten explained.
Trump’s improved approval ratings closely align with more favorable public sentiment regarding the economy. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated a decline in concerns over the stock market, dropping from 67% in April to 60% in May, while fears of a recession decreased from 76% to 69%.
As recession worries eased, Trump’s approval ratings took a turn for the better. JP Morgan reported that the likelihood of a recession has fallen below 50%, down from 60% in April, while Goldman Sachs adjusted their recession forecast from 45% to 35%.
In April, Trump’s ratings took a hit due to tariffs imposed on foreign nations aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and securing fair trade agreements. Following a 90-day suspension in negotiations, a tariff reduction agreement was reached between the U.S. and China, with a deal allowing for a 115% reduction, albeit with an additional 10% still in place, as detailed in a White House fact sheet issued on Monday.
