A dramatic shift in public opinion emerges as former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden experience opposing trends in their latest approval ratings.
According to the New York Post, Trump's favorability has reached a post-election peak of 54%, marking a six-point increase, while Biden's approval rating has plummeted to a four-year low of 36%.
The Emerson College poll, conducted from November 20 to 22, reveals a significant transformation in public sentiment following the November 5 election.
This notable change represents one of Trump's highest approval ratings ever recorded, contrasting sharply with Biden's declining numbers, which show 52% of voters disapproving of his performance.
The poll highlights substantial demographic variations in Trump's support base. Men show stronger support for Trump at 61% compared to women at 48%.
The former president's appeal spans across different age groups, with particularly robust support among voters aged 40 to 59, where he enjoys a 60% favorability rating.
Trump's popularity among racial groups shows notable differences, with 59% of white voters viewing him favorably. Hispanic voters follow at 53%, while support among black voters stands at 28%. These numbers represent a significant improvement from previous polling data.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, explained the demographic breakdown:
Trump's favorability varies significantly by gender, race, and age. Trump's strongest age cohort is among voters 40 to 59, with 60% viewing him favorably, compared to 48% among those over 70. Notably, his favorability has risen among younger voters, with 55% of those under 30 expressing a favorable opinion.
The poll also explored potential candidates for the 2028 presidential race. Vice President-elect JD Vance leads Republican preferences with 30% support, while other contenders like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy trail significantly behind with 5% and 3%, respectively.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the frontrunner with 37% support. California Governor Gavin Newsom follows with 7%, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg garners 4% support. Governors Josh Shapiro and Gretchen Whitmer tie at 3%.
The survey additionally revealed mixed reactions to the 2024 election outcome. While 54% of voters weren't surprised by the results, 46% expressed surprise at the outcome. A stark partisan divide emerged in these responses, with 67% of Harris voters expressing surprise compared to only 29% of Trump voters.
The unprecedented shift in approval ratings marks a significant moment in American political history. Trump's post-election surge to 54% approval represents his highest rating ever recorded, surpassing his previous performance during both his presidency and post-presidency periods.
These findings come as Trump prepares to return to the White House, with 59% of voters approving of his handling of the transition. The stark contrast between Trump's rising numbers and Biden's declining approval ratings suggests a major realignment in public sentiment following the November election results.
