Reuters/Ipsos Core Political Survey: Presidential Approval Tracker (09/18/2019)

Washington, D.C., September 18, 2019 – Reuters/Ipsos examines how Americans perceive President Trump’s handling of specific issues in this week’s Core Political. After attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil refinery, and President Trump accusing Iran of being behind the attacks, just 39 percent of Americans approve of his approach to foreign policy, and 35 percent approve of how he handles Iran. President Trump continues to get the highest marks on his handling of employment and jobs and the economy (48% and 47% of all Americans approve respectively). Trump’s policies concerning international trade receive significantly less support, with just 40 percent of Americans reporting they approve. Similar to international trade, Trump’s handling of immigration receives moderate support (40%). 

Trump’s overall approval ratings remain consistent with much of the past year - 4 in 10 Americans (40%) and registered voters (43%) report they somewhat or strongly approve of the job he is doing as president. Republican registered voters overwhelming approve of the job Trump is doing as president (83%). In contrast, just 10 percent of Democratic registered voters approve of how Trump is handling his position, and 72 percent strongly disapprove.  

Looking at the overall direction of the country, just 1 in 3 Americans (30%) and registered voters (33%) believe that the country is headed in the right direction. This number drops to just 1 in 10 among Democratic registered voters (11%). Republican registered voters are much more optimistic - 61 percent agree that the country is on the right path. 

Americans remain split on the most important issues facing the nation – healthcare (17%), immigration (16%), the economy (11%), the environment (9%), and morality (8%) make up the top concerns for the nation. Democrats and Republicans are not aligned on the most important issues. Democratic registered voters report healthcare (23%), the environment (15%), and the economy (12%) as the top issues, while Republican registered voters say immigration (30%), healthcare (12%) and morality (11%) are the biggest issues. 

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between September 16-17, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 1,116 Americans, including 939 registered voters, 429 Democratic registered voters, 386 Republican registered voters, and 92 Independent registered voters ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points for all adults, plus or minus 3.6 percentage points for registered voters, plus or minus 5.4 percentage points for Democratic registered voters, plus or minus 5.7 percentage points for Republican registered voters, and plus or minus 11.6 percentage points for Independent registered voters. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

For more information on this news release please contact:
Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2016
[email protected]

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

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