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A new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll showed that the more registered voters approved former President Donald Trump's term in office than President Joe Biden's.
About 51% of respondents said they now approve of Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021, compared to 41% who approved the current term served by Biden.
Trump, 78, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, was also reportedly favored by the majority of respondents on the topics of immigration, the economy, handling national security issues and dealing with China. Biden only received higher support on handling race relations and health care.
"He’s the real deal. Under him, let’s see, the economy was doing great. My life was a lot easier financially than it is now, and overall, I think he was well respected," said Carol Crossland, a 56-year-old Trump supporter from San Antonio, Texas, via USA TODAY.
The new poll was shared amid reports of uncertainty regarding the president's re-election campaign as a top campaign official reportedly told at least one megadonor that Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 election is "only a matter of time" privately according to TMZ, as well as multiple Democratic officials publicly calling for him to drop out. The official reportedly said that focus had shifted from singular support of the president's re-election to "Democrats have to retain The White House" following Biden's disastrous performance in the first presidential debate against Trump last month.
Biden, 81, the oldest president in history, appeared opposite Trump, on the debate stage for the first time since the 2020 election and did little to quell concerns about his vigor and energy. The president appeared to struggle with his voice, clearing his throat and coughing multiple times, and was often seen open-mouthed and staring when Trump spoke, occasionally struggling to finish sentences.
Biden's performance reportedly led to "panic" among Democrats, according to longtime Democratic operative and CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod.
“He seemed a little disoriented. He did get stronger as the debate went on. But by that time, I think the panic had set in,” Axelrod said, adding that "there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”