Our research below provides messaging guidance for progressives to win key policy debates.
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.
Trump’s attacks on the Obama administration appear to be failing him as the public maintains general concerns about Trump’s blaming others, downplaying the threat, and ignoring experts, and Democrats in Congress continue to hold an advantage over Trump on trust to handle a number of issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.
When it comes to reopening the economy, Americans say they trust Dr. Fauci and Democrats more than Trump and report concerns about their state opening too soon; the president’s approval on the coronavirus pandemic reaches another low in Navigator’s tracking.
Trump’s disapproval rating on handling the pandemic remains at its highest point; as strong concerns remain about the possibility of a “second wave,” there has been an uptick in the share saying the “worst is yet to come.”
Trump’s disapproval rating hits a new high on handling the pandemic as Americans express concern by Congressional Republicans having voted to cut CDC funding prior to the pandemic and refusing to stand up to Trump.
Trump’s rating on handling the pandemic has reached a new low point with the public generally concerned that his actions have put lives at risk and are now hurting the country’s chances for a safe reopening.
