Fact Check: "Trump's approval rating plummets to just 38% amid growing disapproval."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump's approval rating plummets to just 38% amid growing disapproval" is misleading. According to a recent Marquette Law School Poll, conducted from December 2 to December 11, 2024, Donald Trump's approval rating was reported at 53%, with a disapproval rating of 47%. This represents an increase in his approval from 50% in October 2024, marking his highest approval rating since March 2024. In contrast, President Joe Biden's approval rating was noted to have fallen to 34%, with a disapproval rating of 66% during the same period.
Furthermore, a Quinnipiac University poll conducted around the same time indicated that Trump's approval rating was at 42%, with 53% disapproving of his performance. This data suggests that Trump's approval ratings are not as low as the claim suggests and are, in fact, higher than 38%.
Analysis
The claim appears to originate from a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of polling data. The Marquette Law School Poll, which is a reputable source, shows a significant approval rating for Trump, contradicting the assertion that his approval has "plummeted" to 38% (source-1). Additionally, the Quinnipiac poll, while showing a lower approval rating than Marquette's, still does not support the claim of a 38% approval rating, as it reports 42% approval (source-2).
It is important to consider the credibility of the sources. The Marquette Law School Poll is a well-regarded academic poll with a clear methodology and a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points, making its findings reliable. Conversely, the Quinnipiac University poll also has a solid reputation for conducting national surveys, although it is slightly less favorable in its findings for Trump compared to Marquette.
The claim's source is unclear, and without a specific reference to a credible poll that supports the 38% figure, it lacks substantiation. Furthermore, the context provided by both polls indicates that Trump's approval ratings are fluctuating but have not dropped to the levels claimed.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that Trump's approval rating has plummeted to just 38% is inaccurate. Current polling data from reputable sources indicates that his approval rating is significantly higher, at 53% according to the Marquette Law School Poll and 42% according to the Quinnipiac University poll. The claim does not reflect the reality of the polling data available.
