Former President Donald Trump has surged ahead in the latest CNN poll of the American electorate, establishing his largest lead ever over incumbent Democrat President Joe Biden. Trump commands a six-point advantage, with 49 percent support compared to Biden’s 43 percent in a head-to-head matchup.
When considering third-party candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Jill Stein, and Cornel West, Trump’s lead expands to nearly double digits. In this scenario, Trump secures 42 percent, while Biden lags at 33 percent, with Kennedy at 16 percent, West at four percent, and Stein at three percent, indicating a substantial nine-point lead for Trump nationally.
The CNN/SSRS poll, conducted from April 18 to April 23, surveyed 1,212 American adults, including 967 registered voters, with a margin of error of 3.4 percent for the full sample and 3.8 percent among registered voters. Notably, the numbers pertaining to the presidential race are derived from the registered voters sample.
CNN’s analysis of the poll indicates a favorable retrospective view of Trump’s presidency among a majority of Americans, contrasting sharply with the negative perception of Biden’s tenure. The data shows that 55 percent of Americans consider Trump’s presidency a success, while 44 percent view it as a failure. In contrast, 61 percent assess Biden’s presidency as a failure, with only 39 percent viewing it as successful.
Biden faces significant challenges in his approval ratings on key issues like the economy and inflation, which stand at 34 percent and 29 percent, respectively. These dismal ratings appear to be working against him, particularly as 65 percent of registered voters emphasize the importance of the economy in their vote for president, with a notable 62 percent favoring Trump in an economy-centric matchup against Biden.
The release of this poll coincides with Trump’s ongoing trial in New York City, overseen by Democrat District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and follows Biden’s criticisms of Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump, despite being engaged in legal proceedings, continues his campaign activities, meeting with union workers and engaging in community visits. Meanwhile, Biden’s focus has shifted towards issues like abortion, as seen in his recent visit to Florida to highlight forthcoming ballot initiatives.