The views of Donald J. Trump’s presidency have experienced a positive shift since he left office, strengthening his potential for reelection and posing a challenge to President Biden’s strategy of portraying his opponent as unfit for the presidency, as per a recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College.
While the memories of Trump’s tumultuous administration have not completely faded, many voters now have a more favorable perception of his handling of the economy, immigration, and law and order. Prior to the 2020 election, only 39 percent of voters believed the country improved under Trump’s leadership. However, looking back, nearly half now acknowledge that he made positive changes during his time in office.
The poll’s results highlight how a subset of voters have revised their opinions about the Trump era, viewing it as a period of economic prosperity and strong national security. This shift in perception comes despite Trump facing multiple felony charges and currently undergoing criminal trials in New York.
Various demographic groups, including white voters without a college degree, now view Trump’s presidency in a more favorable light. Even Hispanic voters, voters over 30, and many lower- and middle-income voters see Trump’s time in office as more positive than negative.
For example, Maya Garcia, a former “Trump hater,” now believes that Trump’s controversial style actually helped control crime and maintain order in the country. Despite voting for Biden in the last election, Garcia intends to support Trump in the upcoming election due to her dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of various issues.
The shift in public perception of Trump is not uncommon, as former presidents often experience a boost in approval ratings after leaving office. Trump’s increased popularity could significantly impact the upcoming election, as his presidency becomes a central issue for voters.
Many voters attribute their improved view of Trump to his administration’s economic policies, particularly amidst rising costs and inflation under Biden’s presidency.
Similarly, Marecus Maupin now regards the Trump years as a period of economic growth, even though he acknowledges earning more money under Biden. He plans to switch his vote from Biden to Trump in the upcoming election.
While some voters still hold negative views of Trump, others acknowledge that they may have previously focused too much on his personality rather than his policies. Despite many participants finding Trump’s past statements offensive, a significant number believe those remarks are now a distant memory.
President Biden has focused on highlighting Trump’s controversial statements and policies throughout his campaign, particularly regarding the coronavirus pandemic and racial issues. However, less than 2 percent of voters mentioned abortion or Trump’s Supreme Court decisions as their main recollection of his presidency.
Overall, both Trump and Biden are viewed as risky choices by nearly equal shares of voters. Some individuals, like Angie Leon, are reconsidering their opinions of Trump, speculating that his divisive rhetoric may have been a strategic campaign tactic rather than genuine beliefs. Leon, who initially supported Biden, now plans to vote for Trump in the upcoming election due to her perception of the country’s better state under his leadership.
The article also includes key details about how the Times/Siena poll was conducted, such as the number of participants, polling methods, demographic representation, and margin of sampling error. The full results and methodology are available for further reference, providing transparency on the poll’s findings.
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