Fake Trump Approval Numbers Threaten Midterm Outlook
Former pollster warns of misleading Trump approval ratings pushing him into 20s, raising concerns about midterm elections.
2 min read
Former Rasmussen Reports pollster Mark Mitchell has raised concerns about the accuracy of recent polls showing President Donald Trump’s approval rating in the 20s. Mitchell, now running The Honest Poll, claims that major pollsters are misleading the public with fabricated numbers, aiming to portray Trump as a failed leader ahead of the midterms.
Alarming Polling Trends
Mitchell pointed to American Research Group (ARG), which recently reported Trump’s approval rating at 29%, a figure he calls ‘garbage.’ He noted that ARG’s previous tracking of Trump’s approval was consistently higher, around 37% to 38%, and that Rasmussen, where Mitchell previously worked, recorded Joe Biden’s approval at 38% or more during his presidency. Mitchell argues that the current numbers are not only misleading but also have the potential to embolden opponents.
Comparisons to Past Presidents
Mitchell drew a comparison to former President George W. Bush, who saw his approval rating drop into the mid-20s after the 2006 midterms. He warned that similar tactics could be used to devalue Trump’s political standing, making his party appear weak in the upcoming elections. Despite real challenges, Mitchell insists that Trump’s actual approval rating hovers around 40%, with the 20s numbers being a narrative rather than real data.
Impact on Midterm Outlook
According to the RealClearPolitics average, Trump’s approval stands at 39.5%, while The Honest Poll’s September tracking puts him at 42% among registered voters. Mitchell emphasized that a president at 40% and one at 29% tell vastly different stories, and the current trend could mislead voters about the state of the Republican Party.
Challenges Ahead
Mitchell acknowledged that Trump faces real issues in his approval rating, but he stressed that the current numbers are not reflective of reality. He warned that the narrative being pushed by left-leaning pollsters could have a significant impact on the upcoming midterms, where the fate of Trump’s America First agenda will be decided.
