President Joe Biden’s public approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in almost two years, tying the lowest point of his presidency, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The four-day poll, which concluded on Monday, revealed that only 36% of Americans approve of Biden’s performance as president, down from 38% in April. This ties his lowest approval rating, last recorded in July 2022. While the drop is within the poll’s 3 percentage point margin of error, it poses a potential warning for Biden as he prepares to face Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election on November 5.
In national polls, Biden, a Democrat, has been neck-and-neck with Trump. However, Trump has maintained slight leads over Biden in several key battleground states crucial to the U.S. Electoral College outcome.
The poll highlights Biden’s vulnerabilities and a few strengths. The economy remains the top concern, with 23% of respondents identifying it as the most pressing issue. Political extremism followed at 21%, and immigration at 13%.
Regarding economic policies, 40% of respondents favored Trump’s approach, compared to 30% for Biden. On immigration, Trump had an even larger edge, with 42% support versus 25% for Biden.
Biden did have a modest lead on addressing political extremism, with 34% favoring his approach compared to 30% for Trump. However, on foreign conflicts and terrorism, Trump was preferred by 36% of respondents, while 29% favored Biden.
The state of the economy is a significant factor impacting Biden’s reelection prospects. Voters have felt the impact of rising consumer prices, although inflation has slowed recently, and the unemployment rate has remained below 4% for over two years. Additionally, concerns about Biden’s age, at 81, persist among voters.
Biden also faces criticism from within his party. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll showed many Democrats disapprove of his response to Israel’s war on Hamas militants. The recent poll did not address Biden’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, a topic that deeply divides Democrats.
Meanwhile, Trump, 77, is dealing with four criminal prosecutions, including a New York criminal hush money trial nearing its conclusion. Trump chose not to testify, allowing his defense to wrap up quickly and paving the way for jury deliberations. Two other pending trials relate to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
As both candidates navigate their respective challenges, the upcoming election promises to be a closely contested race, with the economy and key policy issues likely to play pivotal roles.
