Trump Job Approval 43%; Ties Party Polarization Record
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Approval back above 40% after dipping to 39% in prior poll
- 86-point party gap in ratings ties highest in a single poll
- Only three presidents have registered 80+ point gaps
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s job approval rating is 43% in the latest Gallup poll, back above 40% after falling below that mark in the late August survey. His current rating nearly matches his 42% average for 2019 to date, ranging from 37% during the government shutdown in January to 46% in April after an initial positive report on the Russia investigation and strong economic news.
The Sept. 3-15 Gallup poll was conducted during a time of generally solid stock market performance, even amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and other countries. Trump fired national security adviser John Bolton during this time after negotiations with the Taliban to end U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan broke down. Democrats also held their third presidential debate on Sept. 12 as 10 candidates made their case to win the party’s nomination and attempt to defeat Trump in the 2020 election.
Trump’s job approval ratings continue to be marked by extreme partisan polarization, with 91% of Republicans and 5% of Democrats approving of the job he is doing. Thirty-eight percent of independents evaluate Trump’s performance positively.
The 86-point gap in Republican and Democratic ratings of the president ties the highest Gallup has measured in a single survey. This is the third time Trump’s approval ratings have reached this level of polarization. Eighty-six points also separated Democratic and Republican ratings of President Barack Obama at the time of the 2012 presidential election.
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