OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
President Joe Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a record low of 37.4%, with disapproval at 56.6%, according to the tracker and opinion poll analyzer FiveThirtyEight.
The latest polls indicate a decline in support from nonwhite voters. Additionally, progressive groups have heavily criticized the White House for its response to Israel’s actions during the Gaza war following an attack by Hamas on October 7th, as reported by Business Insider.
Biden’s approval has plummeted since the United States’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and has not recovered. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban quickly took control of the capital city of Kabul after U.S. forces pulled out. At the time, President Biden had a 49% approval rating, according to Gallup, just seven months into his presidency. A month later, his approval fell to 43%.
By comparison, former President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have been steadily increasing since the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol Building.
According to the weighted average from FiveThirtyEight, Trump holds a 41.6% approval rating during a potentially precarious time as the first former president to be convicted of a felony.
Last week, a new Emerson College Polling national survey found that a whopping 44 percent of those polled said that the 34 felony convictions did not impact their support for the former president; 33 percent said it made them less likely to support him, and another 27 percent said it made them more likely to vote for him.
“Trump’s support in our polling remained the same before and after his conviction,” Executive Director of Emerson College Polling Spencer Kimball said. “A majority of Democrats say it makes them less likely to support Trump (51%) and a majority of Republicans (55%) say it makes them more likely to support Trump. A plurality of independents say it makes no impact (41%), while 38% are less likely to vote for Trump and 21% more likely.”
“The poll found Trump had a narrow lead over President Joe Biden, with 46% of voters behind Trump and 45% backing Biden in the 2024 presidential election. Nine percent were undecided,” the report said.
This has been a bad week for the Biden family.
President Joe Biden released a statement in support of his son, Hunter Biden, after he was convicted Tuesday of lying on gun-purchasing paperwork and unlawfully possessing a gun.
“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” the president said. “So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.
“As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
Federal authorities charged Hunter Biden, the first son, with making illegal gun sales and lying on a background check form. The case was tried in Vermont, and a jury found him guilty.
“The conviction marks the first time a president’s immediate family member has been found guilty of a crime during their father’s term in office, though his crimes predate Joe Biden’s tenure as president,” CNN reported.
“Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000 at sentencing, though he likely will receive far less than the maximum as a first-time offender. Court has adjourned for the day after the jury found Hunter Biden guilty on all three counts. The jury deliberated for just under three hours. First lady Jill Biden arrived at the courthouse shortly after the verdict was read,” the outlet added.
