Nearly seven out of ten Americans do not want Donald Trump to run for president in 2024, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.
But Trump remains extraordinarily popular within the GOP. Two-thirds of Republicans want to see him compete for The White House in the next presidential election. That same number – 66% – believe Joe Biden’s victory was not legitimate. Meanwhile, 85% of GOP respondents to the Quinnipiac Poll want to see 2022 congressional candidates who “mostly agree with Donald Trump.”
“The numbers fly in the face of any predictions that Donald Trump’s political future is in decline. By a substantial majority, Republicans: (1) believe the election was stolen from him, (2) want Trump to run again, and (3), if they can’t vote for Trump, prefer someone who agrees with him,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
Trump’s popularity within the GOP worries some conservative lawmakers. According to excerpts of a speech obtained by Punchbowl News, former House Speaker Paul Ryan plans to tell an audience at the Reagan Presidential Library on Thursday night, “If the conservative cause depends on the populist appeal of one personality, or on second-rate imitations, then we’re not going anywhere.”
Similarly, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) indicated to Politico that a Trump 2024 run would come with significant baggage:
“President Trump did a lot of good. But he squandered a lot of his legacy after what happened after Nov. 3. And I think that’s a shame. Running for president, you’re under a lot of scrutiny. And all I can say is there’s a lot to talk about.”
The Quinnipiac poll found that 49% of Americans approve of President Biden’s performance (41% disapprove). Biden scores particularly high marks on the coronavirus – 65% percent approve of his performance on that front.
Quinnipiac also asked Americans about their opinions of seven elected officials. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had the lowest favorability percentage, 12%. By comparison, his successor as Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has a 36% favorability rating.
