In a stunning political revelation, a comprehensive study from the University of Chicago has uncovered that former President Donald Trump's approval rating among Washington DC residents has cratered to a mere 5%, establishing what experts are calling the lowest presidential popularity rating in the nation's capital since modern polling began.
Historic Unpopularity in the Political Epicentre
The research, conducted between April 8 and May 8, paints a devastating picture of Trump's standing in America's political heartland. The findings show an astonishing 93% of DC respondents hold an unfavourable view of the former president, with only a tiny fraction maintaining support.
Methodology and Margin of Error
The University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center employed rigorous methodology, surveying 1,142 adults across the United States. The margin of error stands at ±3.9 percentage points, lending significant credibility to these remarkable findings that underscore Trump's dramatic fall from grace in the capital.
Broader National Context
While Trump's numbers are particularly abysmal in Washington DC, the study reveals his national approval rating hasn't fared much better. Across the United States, only 44% of Americans view the former president favourably, compared to 56% who maintain negative perceptions.
Legal Woes and Political Consequences
This historic unpopularity comes as Trump faces numerous legal challenges, including his recent conviction on 34 felony counts in New York. Political analysts suggest these legal troubles, combined with his controversial post-presidency conduct, have significantly damaged his standing among even previously supportive demographics.
Historical Comparison
The University of Chicago findings place Trump in unprecedented territory for presidential popularity—or lack thereof. No previous president, even during times of national crisis or scandal, has recorded such overwhelmingly negative numbers in the nation's capital, according to historical polling data.
As the 2024 election cycle approaches, these numbers present a formidable challenge for Trump's campaign team, particularly in appealing to voters beyond his core base of supporters. The research suggests that despite his maintained popularity within certain demographics, his overall national appeal remains severely limited.
