GOP preference rises as Trump, McCarthy jump in double digits: poll

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy saw their approval ratings rise double-digits in January despite Republicans’ rough start to 2023, according to a new poll.

Republicans have grappled with several challenges in recent months — from a weaker-than-expected midterm election, Trump’s ongoing legal woes and a days-long race for leadership when the new Congress reconvened earlier this month. However, a new YouGov poll showed that the GOP had recovered from those difficulties by mid-January.

The YouGov poll found rising approval ratings across the board for Republicans, including the party’s top leaders, as they seek to use their control of the House of Representatives to control President Joe Biden.

In late December 2022, YouGov noted that the Republican Party is unpopular with US adults. The poll at the end of the year showed that the party was down 14 points with its respondents. While Republican polls remain underwater, only 48 percent have a negative opinion of the party, compared to 44 percent who have a positive opinion, according to the poll, which polled 1,500 U.S. adults Jan. 14-17. citizens were questioned.

According to the survey, Trump’s approval has also increased since the end of last year. Like the GOP overall, Trump had a disapproval rating of 14 on December 31. The new poll found 48 percent of respondents disapproved, while 45 percent of adults agreed.

The surge in approval comes as Trump faces mounting pressure in several legal scandals — including the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into whether he unlawfully stole classified documents from the White House and multiple investigations into his conduct related to the Presidential election 2020. The former president has consistently maintained his innocence.

According to YouGov, Trump’s approval dropped significantly after the November 2022 midterms. Republicans narrowly regained control of the House of Representatives and lost ground in the Senate. Some Republicans blame Trump for backing candidates who failed to win their races in key battleground states.

The YouGov poll found that McCarthy, a California Republican, has also seen his approval rating steadily increase since the midterms. In a November 16 YouGov poll, McCarthy ranked 16 underwater among US adults.

The latest poll found his approval has increased, with 36 percent of respondents giving him positive marks, compared to 37 who said they disapproved. The poll comes after McCarthy struggled to secure the speakership, with a group of right-wing Republicans holding back their vote to weaken his power.

After nearly five days of voting, however, he eventually gained enough support to become speaker, though the House Republican conference remains divided on key issues, including whether to impeach officials in the Biden administration who will serve the next two years of his term could shape as speakers.

YouGov poll also provides good news for Joe Biden

While the poll showed an increase in Republican approval, Democrats might also find reason to celebrate the poll. Biden, who is up for re-election in 2024, cited two of his key potential GOP opponents. He hasn’t officially announced his intention to run, but he has said he will do so despite pressure from some Democrats to do so.

In a neck-and-neck race against Trump, Biden led with 42 percent of the votes versus 36 percent of the ex-president, according to the poll.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is believed to be Trump’s closest challenger in the GOP primary despite not yet announcing his intention to run, came under more scrutiny than Trump. According to the poll, DeSantis received just 35 percent of the support compared to Biden’s 40 percent.

news week reached out to YouGov and the Trump and McCarthy offices for comment.