Trump’s popularity continues to plummet

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s standing with the American people has deteriorated since April, buffeted by perceptions of a decline in US leadership abroad, a stalled presidential agenda at home and an unpopular Republican health-care bill, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Approaching six months in office, Trump’s overall approval rating has dropped to 36% from 42% in April. His disapproval rating has risen five points to 58%. Overall, 48% say they “disapprove strongly” of Trump’s performance, a level never reached by former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama – and only in the second term of George W Bush.

Almost half of all Americans (48%) see the country’s leadership in the world as weaker since Trump was inaugurated, compared with 27% who say it is stronger. Despite the fact that Trump campaigned as someone skilled at making deals that would be good for the country, the majority also say they do not trust him in negotiations with foreign leaders and, in particular, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Just over a third trust Trump “a great deal” or “a good amount” in foreign negotiations. Asked specifically about Trump-Putin negotiations, almost 2 in 3 said they do not trust the president much, while 48% said they do not trust him “at all”. Washington Post