Fact Check: "The NBC News Decision Desk Poll found that 65% of independents disapprove of President Trump's performance as president."
What We Know
The claim states that a recent NBC News Decision Desk Poll found that 65% of independents disapprove of President Trump's performance. However, the actual findings from the NBC News poll indicate that while a significant number of independents do disapprove of Trump's performance, the percentage is slightly lower than claimed. According to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll, 67% of independents somewhat or strongly disapprove of Trump's handling of his job as president (NBC News). This is corroborated by other sources, which report that 55% of all adults disapprove of Trump's performance overall, with 45% approving (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that 65% of independents disapprove of Trump's performance is misleading. While the figure is close, the NBC News poll specifically states that 67% of independents expressed disapproval (NBC News). This discrepancy is significant enough to warrant a correction of the claim.
The sources used to support the claim include the NBC News Decision Desk Poll, which is a reputable source for political polling. However, the interpretation of the data in the claim does not accurately reflect the poll's findings. The NBC News poll is conducted using a large sample size and employs a methodology that is generally considered reliable, which adds credibility to its results (NBC News).
Additionally, other polls, such as the NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, indicate that a majority of respondents, including independents, believe that Trump is making changes too hastily and that his policies are not broadly popular (NPR). This context further supports the notion that independents are largely dissatisfied with Trump's performance, but it also highlights the importance of accurately reporting the specific figures.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that "65% of independents disapprove of President Trump's performance as president" is inaccurate. The correct figure from the NBC News Decision Desk Poll indicates that 67% of independents disapprove of his performance. While the claim is close, it misrepresents the actual data, which is crucial for an accurate understanding of public sentiment.
Sources
- Poll finds most think Trump is rushing change ...
- Poll: Americans disapprove of Trump's performance, as Republicans ...
- Young independents grapple with frustration over the two ...
- Poll: Americans disapprove of Trump's performance, as ...
- Poll shows Americans' disappointment with Trump at 100-day mark - NBC ...
- Poll: Americans disapprove of spending public funds to put ...
- 'Dead heat': Trump pulls even with Harris in NBC News poll