Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made some remarks on Tuesday, pointing out that polls often miss the mark when it comes to President Donald Trump, but they seem pretty accurate when it comes to Schumer’s own popularity, which isn’t great.
After a typical weekly meeting, Schumer spoke with reporters, reiterating his usual anti-Trump sentiments. He mentioned how “incompetence, indecisiveness, and confusion” seem to be affecting many Americans, and he placed the blame squarely on Trump.
As he highlighted rising costs of various necessities—like cars, clothing, energy, and groceries—he noted too that retirement accounts and the stock market aren’t doing well. “Dollars are down,” Schumer emphasized.
He also shared some polling data, suggesting that Americans are aware of the issues. In fact, a recent survey indicated that Trump has the lowest approval rating after his first 100 days compared to any president in the last 80 years. Alarmingly, 72% of Americans believe Trump’s economic policies could lead to a recession.
A CNN poll placed Trump’s approval at about 41%, while various other polls painted a somewhat mixed picture with numbers ranging from 42% to as high as 50%.
As the conversation progressed, CNN reporter Manu Raju pointedly asked Schumer about focusing on Trump’s negative aspects. Schumer responded by saying, “We’re focusing on how bad Trump is.”
Interestingly, while Trump’s approval rates, even at their lowest, are significantly better than Schumer’s, the senator’s own approval averages around 17%, far lower than Trump’s figures.
Later in the day, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins pointed out that even though Trump’s approval has dropped, it’s not fantastic for the Democrats either, given that many within the party are dissatisfied with their leadership. Collins quizzed Schumer about his approval rating, asking if it reflects on him personally.
Schumer quickly dismissed the idea, and after a brief diversion in his response, he reiterated that polls fluctuate. “I’ve seen them over the years,” he said. “We’re doing the right thing. Focused on how bad Trump is.”
Despite claiming he’s unconcerned about his low popularity, there seems to be a noticeable desire among New Yorkers for new leadership, as revealed by a recent survey which showed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading Schumer 55% to 36% among Democrats.
