Fact-Check: President's Net Approval Rating at -14%
What We Know
The claim states that the president's net approval rating is -14%, with 41% approving and 55% disapproving, which indicates a decrease of 1.6 points since the previous week. According to a recent Fox News poll, President Trump's overall approval rating is reported at 44%, down from 49% in March. This poll indicates that 59% of voters are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, which aligns with the claim that a significant portion of the population disapproves of the president's performance.
Additionally, Forbes reported that a recent NBC survey found Trump's approval at 45% and disapproval at 55%, resulting in a net approval rating of -10%. This suggests that while the claim of -14% is not directly supported, it is close to the reported figures from various sources.
Analysis
The claim of a -14% net approval rating appears to be a slight exaggeration based on the available data. The most reliable sources indicate that Trump's approval rating fluctuates around 44-47%, with disapproval rates consistently higher, leading to negative net approval ratings. For instance, the Fox News poll shows a 44% approval rate and a 55% disapproval rate, which results in a net approval of -11%. This is corroborated by the Marquette Law School Poll, which also indicates a disapproval rate of 52% against a 47% approval rate, yielding a net rating of -5%.
The discrepancy in the claim could stem from different polling methodologies or the timing of the surveys. The claim states a specific percentage change of -1.6 points, but the sources do not provide a clear week-to-week comparison that aligns with this figure. The claim's reliance on a specific net approval figure of -14% is not directly supported by the most recent polling data, which shows a range of -10% to -11%.
In evaluating the reliability of the sources, Fox News and Forbes are generally considered credible, though they may exhibit some bias in their reporting. The Marquette poll is also reputable, particularly in regional contexts, but it is essential to consider that approval ratings can vary significantly based on the demographic and political leanings of the respondents.
Conclusion
The claim that the president's net approval rating is -14% is Partially True. While it accurately reflects a negative approval rating, the specific figures cited (41% approval, 55% disapproval) do not align precisely with the most recent polling data, which shows a net approval rating closer to -10% to -11%. The claim's assertion of a 1.6-point decrease is also not substantiated by the available data.
