Our research below provides messaging guidance for progressives to win key policy debates.
Americans are deeply worried about a second wave of the pandemic, oppose a full reopening of the country but express openness to partially reopening their own community, and remain concerned by Trump putting lives at risk, downplaying the crisis, and failing to take responsibility.
As Americans report hearing less from Trump on coronavirus, the public sees Congressional Democrats’ response to the pandemic as favoring the working class while Trump’s response favors the wealthy.
Americans have misgivings about Trump’s initial response to the pandemic and have doubts he’s doing enough now amidst rising concerns social distancing will end too soon rather than go on too long.
A majority of Americans continue to disapprove of Trump’s handling of coronavirus, as most are practicing social distancing despite partisan differences on whether or not to relax the measures.
Americans continue to rate governors more highly on handling the pandemic than Trump as the public reports hearing more negative than positive things about Trump’s response, particularly his comments on injecting disinfectant.
Americans continue to rate governors more highly on handling the pandemic than Trump as the public reports hearing more negative than positive things about Trump’s response, particularly his comments on injecting disinfectant.
Independents, people of color and older Americans give Trump low marks for his handling of the pandemic at a time when perception of the economy reaches new lows in our daily tracking and protests are doing little to sway overall public opinion on social distancing.
Americans continue to trust state and local governments more than Trump; the public reports more comfortability interacting with friends if the country reopens soon rather than going to restaurants or large gatherings.
Trump’s behavior at press conferences continues to give the public a negative impression of his handling of the pandemic and think he should leave the briefings to health experts; Americans blame the president on testing and PPE shortages, while reporting broad support for expanding vote-by-mail this November.
Americans support safely opening the government over reopening prematurely; more than two-thirds agree that fixing the health crisis is the key to restarting the economy.
Americans support governors when it comes to stay-at-home orders instead of those protesting social distancing measures; Trump’s approval continues to decline as Americans worry about an economic recession.
Ratings of how Trump is handling the pandemic decline with fewer Americans viewing him as “serious” in his response, and most Americans continuing to prefer social distancing despite recent protests.
Trump’s approval ratings continue to drop as the share of Americans who know someone sick with coronavirus continues to grow. Most Americans support continued social distancing and believe life won’t return to normal for several months or more.
Trump’s approval rating on coronavirus remains negative as Americans report that they trust the CDC, Dr. Fauci, and the WHO the most to tell the truth about the pandemic.
As the public reports serious concerns about the economy and loved ones getting sick from coronavirus, Americans across party lines trust Dr. Fauci to tell the truth when it comes to the pandemic.
