Former President Donald Trump’s popularity has increased significantly, with his favorability rating hitting 44% in August 2024, up from 41% in August 2020 and 33% in August 2016, according to CNN analyst Harry Enten. This development suggests that Trump may be on track for the greatest comeback story in modern American politics, despite Kamala Harris’s recent surge in the polls.
The increase in Trump’s popularity is particularly notable given the challenges he has faced during his time out of office, including several federal legal battles, a conviction in a New York State court, and a failed assassination attempt. Interestingly, it appears that the longer Trump is away from the presidency, the more positively Americans reflect on his tenure.
A recent poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena College found that as time passes, more Americans view Trump’s presidency in a positive light. This trend seems to be driven by economic concerns, with many citing dissatisfaction with the soaring prices under the Biden-Harris administration as their main reason for favoring a Trump win in 2024.
According to a Financial Times and University of Michigan Ross School of Business poll, only one in four voters rate the economy under the current administration as “excellent” or “good.” In contrast, 42% of respondents believe that the economy would be significantly improved if Trump were to return to office. A similar percentage (33%) sees potential economic improvement under a Harris presidency, but this figure is notably lower than the one associated with Trump’s hypothetical comeback.
Despite Kamala Harris’s recent surge in the polls and higher favorability ratings among Democrats compared to May 2024, Harry Enten cautions that there is still a long way to go before the election. Enthusiasm among Republican voters for Trump has risen two points from May (58%) to August (60.
In light of these developments, it seems that Trump’s popularity may be on an upward trajectory as the 2024 election approaches. The former president appears poised to make a significant comeback in American politics, potentially securing his position as one of the most resilient and popular figures in recent history.