Trump Economic Approval Rating Hits Highest, Less People Want Impeachment: Poll

The resilient U.S. economy is turning into a welcome political life-saver for president Donald Trump amidst his certain impeachment by the House on Wednesday.

The latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey covering the period Dec. 10 to 13 and released Wednesday reveals 49 percent of Americans approve Trump's handling of the economy while 40 percent disapprove. On the other hand, the previous survey in September showed 50 percent of Americans disapproving of Trump’s handling of the economy with only 42 percent approving.

The huge 49 percent favorability rating in December compared to 42 percent in September is Trump's highest satisfaction level in a year. Trump’s net economic approval rating swung from minus eight percent in September (the first negative of his presidency) to plus nine percent, a massive 17-point swing.

CNBC said the new poll numbers reverse a sharp decline from its September poll that coincided with the House’s decision to launch an impeachment inquiry into Trump. House majority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced the launching of the impeachment inquiry on September 24.

CNBC noted the positive change in both approval ratings (economic and political) suggests the initial announcement of impeachment had a sharply negative effect on Americans’ attitudes about Trump. The December poll numbers are much closer to the average levels for Trump. The president’s overall approval numbers also recovered somewhat but remain deeply negative.

As for Trump’s overall approval rating, the December poll found 49 percent of Americans disapproving of the job Trump is doing as president with 40 percent approving. The minus nine percent net approval number is a significant improvement from minus 16 points in the September survey.

The September poll found a large drop in Trump overall approval rating, which hit the lowest level of his presidency. Trump’s net approval (approval minus disapproval) dropped to minus 16 points, two points worse than the previous low of his presidency in June and September 2017. The decline reflected lost support among Independents that now comprise the swing vote that might also determine the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump's positive handling of the economy also temporarily and weakly dampened enthusiasm for impeaching Trump. The December CNBC poll shows 45 percent disapproving the impeachment of Trump by Congress against 44 that approve. The poll, which involved 800 respondents, had a 3.5 percent margin for error.

This result was almost unchanged from September when 47 percent said they oppose impeachment and 44 percent said they approve.

The December poll also shows 10 percent saying they're open to changing their minds. Another 11 percent remain unsure. It continues to confirm the deep partisan divide plaguing American politics: 78 percent of Democrats support impeachment while 83 percent of Republican oppose it. Independents disapprove of impeachment by 46 percent to 41 percent.