New Polls Reveal Real Numbers Behind Trump’s Popularity as Speaker Claims 90% Approval
According to a CNN poll published on July 17, just 42% of Americans approve of President Trump.
House Speaker Mike Johnson recently made a bold claim about President Donald Trump’s approval rating, stating that it has reached an extraordinary 90 percent. However, newly released polling data tells a different story.
Speaking on CNBC, Johnson praised the president’s standing with the public. “[Trump's] approval ratings are skyrocketing,” he said. “CNN had a story a day or two ago — he was at a 90 percent approval rating! There's never been a president that high.”
However, the actual data paints a less dramatic picture.
According to a CNN poll published on July 17, just 42 percent of Americans approve of President Trump. Only 37 percent of respondents said they believe he has the right priorities for the country. Similarly, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 41 percent approval, while The Economist’s polling indicated that 55 percent of Americans disapprove of the president’s performance.
The most favorable recent poll came from Rasmussen Reports, showing 50 percent approval as of July 18. Still, none of these results come close to Johnson’s cited figure.
So where did the 90 percent number come from? According to MSNBC, Johnson was likely referring only to Republican respondents. The CNN poll he mentioned shows that 88 percent of Republicans approve of Trump. Johnson appears to have rounded that up and presented it as a reflection of the entire population.
According to a CNN poll published on July 17, just 42 percent of Americans approve of President Trump.
Despite Trump's inner circle framing his popularity as record-breaking, the highest recorded presidential approval rating actually belongs to Bill Clinton, who once reached 66 percent. Ronald Reagan followed with 63 percent, and Barack Obama peaked at 59 percent during his time in office.
At the bottom of the list is Richard Nixon, whose approval dropped to just 24 percent before his resignation.
Understanding the Psychology
Psychological principles can provide deep insights into our behaviors and decision-making processes. For instance, Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, states, "Understanding cognitive biases is crucial for making better decisions, especially in financial contexts" (Adam Grant). Research in behavioral economics highlights how our inability to accurately predict future preferences, often referred to as 'time inconsistency,' can lead to suboptimal financial choices. As noted by Dr. Barry Schwartz, a choice researcher, "People often struggle with making decisions that align with their long-term goals due to these biases" (Barry Schwartz).
Despite Trump's inner circle framing his popularity as record-breaking, the highest recorded presidential approval rating actually belongs to Bill Clinton, who once reached 66 percent.
Win McNameeTrump’s approval rating during the first 100 days of his presidency in 2017 was 42 percent, nearly identical to CNN’s current figure. These results suggest that, while Trump remains highly favored within his party, the broader American public remains more divided.
Another fascinating area of research is the psychology of habit formation. Habits, which are behaviors that we perform automatically and often unconsciously, can have a powerful influence on our daily lives. As noted by Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher, "The key to forming good habits is to make them as easy as possible to start." Furthermore, Dr. Dan Gilbert, happiness researcher, emphasizes that "once habits are established, they can be surprisingly resistant to change, even when they no longer serve us." This highlights the significant impact that habitual behaviors can have on our lives.
What Research Shows
Furthermore, social psychology offers key insights into how our behaviors are shaped by our social environment. For example, the famous Asch Conformity Experiments demonstrated the powerful influence of group pressure on individual judgment. When surrounded by people who hold a certain opinion, we often feel compelled to conform, even if it contradicts our own beliefs.
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, psychology offers a rich and nuanced understanding of human behavior, drawing from areas such as behavioral economics, habit formation, and social psychology. As Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, states, "The ability to navigate our emotions is essential for making choices that align with our values" (Susan David). This complexity of our decision-making processes is further emphasized by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who notes, "Understanding the flow of our emotions can lead to more effective decision-making" (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi). Additionally, insights from Dr. Carol Dweck highlight the significance of mindset in shaping our habits and choices, reinforcing the need for a deeper understanding of these processes (Carol Dweck).
