Staff Reports
The latest Marquette Law School Poll has thrown a curveball in the political game, revealing that President-elect Donald Trump is basking in positive approval ratings, while President Joe Biden is drowning in a sea of disapproval that has reached alarming depths. As the Republicans dust off their party hats and prepare for a victory lap, the numbers show that 53 percent of respondents approve of Trump’s handling of his first term, marking a miraculous turnaround from earlier this year when those numbers were flipped upside down.
For those keeping track, that’s quite the glow-up. Biden, on the other hand, has become increasingly unpopular since taking office. Once boastful of a 58 percent approval in July 2021, Biden’s numbers have plummeted to a staggering 34 percent approval, translating to a net negative of 32 percent. It’s like watching a stock market crash in slow motion, with the average American wondering where the good old days went.
Perhaps the most glaring misstep in Biden’s tenure has been his decision to issue a blanket pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, covering an 11-year period of questionable activities. The public appears more disappointed in this move than finding out their favorite restaurant has run out of fries. Only 29 percent saw this as a positive action, while a whopping 71 percent disapproved. Biden has managed the near-impossible task of further tarnishing his already shaky image.
In the world of favorability, Trump has surged compared to both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. With a near-split of 49 percent favorability to 50 percent unfavorability, it seems Trump has held on to a sliver of approval, while Biden sinks to a meager 37 percent favorability and Harris hovers just above with 41 percent. At this point, it’s akin to a popularity contest gone horribly wrong, with Trump holding onto just enough votes to keep the competition alive.
Biden Hits All-Time Rock Bottom in New Poll While Trump Continues Upward Climb via @WestJournalism https://t.co/CtRGjtklYG
— Marian Clough (@marian_clough) December 19, 2024
When it comes to Trump’s new cabinet picks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has emerged as the most popular choice among them, reflecting a 44 percent favorability rating. Though his numbers are perfectly balanced with a matching unfavorable rating, at least he’s not sending the nation into a collective face-palm like some others. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth hasn’t quite caught the spotlight yet, as 37 percent of participants need to do their homework before passing judgment on him. Just another day in political polling, where numbers can be misleading and approval ratings can change faster than one’s morning coffee order.
In summary, the Marquette survey paints a clear picture of a Republican resurgence as Trump basks in the glow of approval while Biden’s presidency teeters on the brink of disapproval. With a larger contrast in favorability and a noticeable collapse in Biden’s likability, it’s evident that the political tides are shifting, and conservatives have a reason to smile as they witness the unfolding drama in the White House.
