By Dr. Brian C. Joondeph | Commentary, Rasmussen Reports
Conventional wisdom, meaning corporate media, portrays President Donald Trump’s supporters as white supremacists, xenophobes, and racists. They are extras in the movie Deliverance, with two teeth and a below room temperature IQ.
Yet Trump won reelection easily last November, gaining support from more than just the Billy Bobs in Appalachia. Where does Trump’s support stand now that he has been president for three months, allowing everyone to see his presidential agenda clearly?
Instead of examining legacy media’s commissioned polls, which aim more to shape public opinion than to reflect it, let’s refer to Rasmussen Reports, one of the most accurate polling organizations.
In late April, as Trump’s second quarter in the White House began, Rasmussen Reports surveyed 1,767 likely voters. Likely voters elect presidents, unlike simply registered voters or anyone who answers the pollster’s phone call.
Overall, 47% of likely U.S. voters either strongly or somewhat approve of President Trump at this time. Trump’s approval has been hovering around 50% during his current term, which is not surprising given our divided country and the media’s hostility toward Trump and his administration.
Specifically, the Media Research Center found that 92% of Trump’s coverage during his first 100 days was negative. For low-information voters who receive only a few minutes of news each day from cable networks, this constant onslaught of negativity will shape their opinions.
The biggest surprise is Trump’s 58% approval rating among Hispanic voters, which is higher than that of white voters at 47% and black voters at 41%.
By income, the middle class, with annual earnings between $50,000 and $200,000, comprises about 48% of pro-Trump voters, while wealthier voters show only 34% approval of Trump. This confirms that Trump is shifting the Republican Party towards the working class, while the Democrats are increasingly seen as the party of the educated and affluent laptop classes.
READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THE RASMUSSEN REPORTS
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.