Morning Consult survey, a significant shift in public perception regarding Donald Trump’s age and health has emerged, posing a fresh challenge to the former president’s campaign. The survey, reported by Newsweek on August 6, 2024, reveals that a substantial 51% of American voters now believe Trump is too old to serve as president. This marks a notable increase from the previous 44% who held this view.
The survey, which polled around 2,200 registered voters, highlights a drop in the number of respondents who consider Trump to be in “good health,” falling from 58% to 52%. Additionally, concerns about Trump’s mental fitness have also grown, with only 48% of voters now believing he is mentally fit for office, a decrease from 53%.
This shift comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee. The change in the Democratic candidate has evidently impacted voter attitudes, as Harris, at 59, contrasts sharply with Trump, who is now the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history at 78.
More Read
Eli Yokley, a U.S. politics analyst at Morning Consult, observed that Harris’ replacement of Biden has alleviated the age-related concerns previously associated with the Democratic Party, transferring them to Trump. Yokley commented, “Not surprisingly, Harris’ replacement of Biden has now erased the Democratic Party’s age problem with the American electorate. That burden has now shifted to Trump.”
The poll also shows that Harris is gaining momentum against Trump, leading by four percentage points—48% to 44%. This represents the largest advantage for a Democratic presidential candidate over Trump in nearly a year. Harris is also outperforming Trump among key demographics, including independents and younger voters. She leads by 5% among independents (42% to 37%) and by 9% among voters aged 18 to 34 years old (49% to 40%).
Conducted between August 2 and 4, the Morning Consult survey sampled 11,265 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus one percentage point.
The implications for Trump’s campaign are considerable. As the oldest presidential candidate in history, Trump now faces heightened scrutiny regarding his age and health. This increased focus may require him to address these concerns more directly in his campaign strategy.
Meanwhile, Harris’ rising support, especially among crucial voting blocs, suggests that her campaign is gaining traction. This momentum could be pivotal as the 2024 election approaches, potentially shaping the final outcome.
Overall, the survey underscores a growing concern among voters about the age and health of presidential candidates, highlighting the need for Trump to counter these perceptions as he prepares for the upcoming election.
