Our research below provides messaging guidance for progressives to win key policy debates.
The public maintains a negative outlook on various aspects of Trump’s job performance as more Americans than ever say the country is “off on the wrong track.” Support for more aggressive social distancing measures is growing and amny believe their state is reopening too quickly amidst a rise in coronavirus cases.
Americans want to see big changes in the way the police operate and there is broad support for a variety of policing reforms and the “Justice in Policing Act” in the House; Trump earns significantly lower favorability ratings than his predecessors as more see him as “self-absorbed.”
Americans continue to support the ongoing protests, increasingly view the Black Lives Matter movement favorably, support NFL players kneeling in protest, and approve of the removal of Confederate symbols from public view.
Trump’s overall job approval has hit a new low in our tracking as Americans continue to hear negative things about his handling of recent protests and the coronavirus pandemic; a majority say he is moving to reopen the country too aggressively.
Understanding Asian Americans’ political attitudes and how the pandemic is affecting the community today.
As the public views reopening cautiously, a majority believe the country is in crisis, both in terms of the pandemic and the protests following George Floyd’s death; Democrats report concerns about police violence while Republicans are worried about rioting and looting.
Americans believe race relations have worsened under Trump and lack confidence in him to handle issues related to policing and race. As the protests continue, Americans have some concern that the national conversation has become too focused on the protests instead of the murders and systemic racism that have led up to them.
There is overwhelming support for the protests in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, among many others, and a majority recognize their deaths as part of a broader problem with police brutality. By a wide margin, Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to the protests while expressing optimism the protests will be effective.
Trump’s handling of the economy hits a new low; a majority disapprove of his decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization; Democrats hold a trust advantage on issues related to the pandemic while a majority views the House-passed HEROES Act as appealing because it gets economic relief to those who need it most.
Disapproval of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has hit the highest point yet in our tracking; the public is bothered by the death toll and few Americans view his response as “compassionate.”
More Americans say that the country is “off on the wrong track” as African Americans face particularly high infection rates and are the most likely to believe the worst is yet to come for the pandemic.
Americans have conflicting views when it comes to the economy, but solidly support enacting measures to ensure “safe voting” in future elections.
Americans hold increasingly favorable views of the ACA, increasingly unfavorable views of Trump’s handling of health care, and have very serious concerns about Republicans’ failures to protect health care coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.
As Americans report hearing about the President’s refusal to wear a mask and his claims of taking unproven drugs, Trump’s coronavirus approval remains low; Americans overwhelmingly support elected officials being required to wear masks and 2 in 3 disapprove of Trump not wearing a mask.
Worries about a “second wave” of coronavirus are top of mind as widely Americans approve of relief bills like the HEROES Act.
