As the country grapples with an economic crisis, a public health emergency, and social unrest, President Donald Trump has received criticism for his response to the crises.
And a new poll from Gallup shows Trump’s approval is taking a hit. The survey found that 39% of respondents approve of his job performance, down from a record high of 49% in May.
The last time Trump’s approval rating sunk below 40% was in October 2019, shortly after the House of Representatives opened an impeach inquiry to investigate the president’s dealings with Ukraine.
After Trump was acquitted in the Senate in February, his approval rating reached a record high for Gallup, at 49%. And as the coronavirus began spreading his approval rating ticked back up to its record level.
But as protests erupted around the country, Trump was criticized for his response, and for his controversial decision to walk to a nearby church where he posed for a photo.
Additionally, Gallup found his approval rating for his handling of the economy has dropped to a two and a half year low. The new survey found that 47% of respondents approve of Trump’s handling of the economy.
That’s down from a high of 63% in January, and the first time his rating on the economy dropped below 50% since November 2017.
That drop comes as coronavirus related shutdowns led to more than 40 million Americans filing for unemployment. However, Gallup notes that the latest survey was taken before last Friday’s jobs report found that the economy added an unexpected 2.5 million jobs.
Additionally, Gallup found that Trump’s approval rating for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak has dropped to 42%, down from 50% in April.
Recent polls have found Trump’s approval rating has plunged while former Vice President Joe Biden’s (D) lead over the president has expanded. Biden has secured one of the most stable leads against an incumbent president since the beginning of scientific polling.
