Trump Approval Ratings: Is The Coronavirus Hurting Trump? New Polls May Provide Insight Into November Election

President Trump’s approval ratings are taking a hit during the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent numbers may be considered particularly discouraging as Trump also trails presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in most polls, with the November election about 23 weeks away.

The most recent survey from right-leaning Rasmussen Reports shows Trump with a 53% disapproval rating and a 46% approval rating. A poll from Fox News, which also leans right, had Trump with a 54% disapproval rating, compared to a 44% approval rating.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey shows Trump at 55% disapproval to 42% approval. The Reuters/Ipsos numbers were an improvement for Trump, who had ratings of 41% approval and 57% disapproval on May 13.

Trump, who has faced criticism for his response to the coronavirus, may face a tougher reelection battle than former President Obama. FiveThirtyEight.com noted that 53.7% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the coronavirus, compared to 42.7% who approve.

However, other incumbents had an approval rating under 50% in May of an election year and were still reelected.

In May 2012, President Obama had a 47% approval rating, according to a Gallup poll. During the month, Obama announced his support for gay marriage, the first sitting president to do so. In the November 2012 election, Obama defeated Republican nominee Mitt Romney, 51.1% to 47.7%. Obama wound up with 332 electoral votes to Romney’s 206.

Current polling has Trump trailing to Biden. A recent Fox News poll shows Biden at 48%, compared to Trump’s 40%. An Economist/YouGov survey shows a Biden leading Trump, 47% to 42%.

Trump still has stronger betting odds to win than Biden, according to OddsChecker.com. However, some odds may be misleading given that Biden has not formally locked up the Democratic nomination.

The Trump campaign has attacked Biden’s recent comments about African-American support, while a new ad from the Biden team attacks Trump for golfing amid the pandemic. As of Sunday afternoon, there are over 1.6 million cases of the coronavirus in the U.S. and the death toll is close to 100,000.