Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The majority of Americans now approve of President
Trump's handling of the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll
conducted by ABC News/Ipsos.
The poll shows a significant increase in approval for the
president with a 12-point uptick from the same round of questions given by the
pollster just a week before. Americans surveyed for the poll also reflected a
dramatic change in the way they are looking at the virus pandemic, showing that
nearly three-quarters of those surveyed feel that the Wuhan Coronavirus has
changed their life.
The poll was conducted on Wednesday and Thursday of this
week, days that saw the most dramatic increase in confirmed cases of the
COVID-19 virus. The polling also coincided with Trump signing the most
comprehensive relief package related to the pandemic to date, including
guaranteed free testing, paid sick leave, enhances to unemployment relief, and
paid emergency leave.
That bill, the second "phase" of legislation
designed to relieve hardships suddenly beset on much of America because of
isolation and loss of work, sailed through both chambers of Congress with
unprecedented bipartisan support. A third phase of financial stimulus is in the
works, a measure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says will be settled
and voted on before lawmakers adjourn. The Kentucky Republican noted, however,
social distancing and other protocols would be observed.
"What we'll do is have a 30-minute roll call vote.
We want to avoid congregating here in the well," McConnell said. "I would encourage our colleagues to come in and
vote and depart the chamber so we don't have gaggles of conversation here on
the floor. That's particularly important for our staff here and the front of
the chamber, so I would encourage everyone to take full advantage of a full
30-minute roll call vote. Come in and vote, and leave."
The actions by the president and congressional members of
both parties have seemingly comforted Americans rattled by the economic free
fall and threat of illness looming over the entire country, according to the
poll. Notably, the partisan split in approval showed a sharp increase in
Democrats with faith in the president with doubled numbers from only 15 percent
to 30 percent.
Democrats who disapprove of the president decreased from 86
percent to just 69 percent. Meanwhile, the GOP overwhelmingly supports Trump
with 92 percent of respondents praising his response to the pandemic.
Trump has largely settled into a rhythm as the crisis
continues, giving daily briefings from the White House with the Coronavirus
Task Force. The briefings give the president the opportunity to address the
nation and provide his typically optimistic outlook for the future of the
nation while yielding much of his time to a panel of experts. Drs. Anthony
Fauci and Deborah Birx, as well as Surgeon General Jerome Adams and even Vice
President Pence have proven to be a reasonable balance to Trump during the
briefings.
The ABC/Ipsos poll echoes similar results published
by Harris that showed 56 percent of Americans supported
the president's efforts during the current crisis. During this time, the
president also received shocking praise from one of his primary congressional
detractors, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and CNN anchor Dana Bash.
"Politics aside, this is incredible and the right
response in this critical time," Omar said in a Wednesday tweet.