A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll has delivered a jarring blow to President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, revealing a surprising shift in voter sentiment favoring former President Donald Trump. The poll, conducted from July 19-20, 2024, shows that Trump’s favorability has risen significantly, while Biden’s approval ratings have plummeted.
According to the poll, 40 percent of Americans now view Trump favorably, marking a notable increase from his previous favorability ratings, which typically hovered in the low to mid-30s over the past four years. This boost in support comes in the wake of an attempted assassination at a recent rally, which may have contributed to a surge in public sympathy for the Republican nominee. Despite this positive shift, 51 percent of Americans still hold an unfavorable view of Trump, with 7 percent undecided and 2 percent unsure.
In stark contrast, President Biden’s approval numbers have dwindled to 32 percent, with 55 percent of Americans expressing dissatisfaction with his performance. An alarming 61 percent of respondents believe Biden should step aside for a different Democratic candidate, while only 37 percent think he should continue his campaign. Notably, 1 percent chose not to answer this question.
The poll also highlighted a partisan divide on Biden’s candidacy. While 44 percent of Republicans believe Biden should remain in the race, only 39 percent of Democrats share this view. Overall, 55 percent of Americans are unhappy with the prospect of Biden as the Democratic nominee, although 58 percent of Democrats would still support him as their candidate.
These findings come on the heels of a turbulent period in American politics, including a dramatic Republican National Convention where Trump was officially nominated as the party’s candidate. The incident at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania, where an assassination attempt left Trump with a minor injury and resulted in the death of a spectator, has only intensified the political atmosphere.
Biden, at 81 years old, faces mounting pressure from within his party to reconsider his bid for a second term. Critics point to his recent debate performance, marked by frequent stumbles and lapses in focus, as evidence of his diminishing capability to compete effectively against Trump and govern if re-elected.
Despite these challenges, Biden remains resolute in his intention to continue his campaign, asserting his belief in his ability to secure a victory against Trump.
The ABC News/Ipsos poll, surveying 1,141 adults aged 18 and older, provides a snapshot of the shifting political landscape as the 2024 election approaches. The margin of sampling error for this poll is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
As the election cycle progresses, these poll results underscore the growing uncertainties and challenges facing both candidates, setting the stage for a highly competitive race.
