Polling News

Trump’s Nostalgia Bump

April 18, 2024

A new New York Times/Sienna poll found Donald Trump might be benefitting from the nostalgia former presidents experience after they leave office. Almost every president from John F. Kennedy to Trump has seen a bump in their approval number after their presidency. Trump has also seen improvement in his numbers on his handling of key issues like the economy. 

 

By The Numbers:

  • Trump’s approval rating has improved five points since he left office. Previous presidents also saw improvement by this time in the post-White House lives: Barack Obama (+15), George W. Bush (+3), Bill Clinton (+5), George H.W. Bush (+5), Ronald Reagan (+12), Jimmy Carter (+10), Gerald Ford (+12), and John F. Kennedy (+14). 
  • Trump’s approval on the economy has improved ten points. More people (+9) believe Trump left the country better off, and more people approve of his handling of maintaining law and order (+8), unifying America (+4), handling of COVID (+3), and his handling of the Supreme Court than disapprove.

The Bottom Line: Will Trump nostalgia last until November? These numbers show while voters are aghast at how the Biden Administration has handled issues like immigration, inflation, and foreign policy, they forget some of the negative views they had at the end of Trump’s term. The New York Times noted that Hillary Clinton enjoyed similar positive numbers while she was First Lady and Secretary of State, but her numbers quickly declined when she ran for president. To keep the nostalgia alive, Republicans will need to link the good voters think Trump did in office with the good he says he’ll do if elected again. 

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
November 27, 2025 |
Polling News
Because of the Biden economy, President Donald Trump and Republicans made gains with Latino voters last year. ...
Placeholder polling news
November 20, 2025 |
Polling News
Democrats were frustrated at the end of the government shutdown, with party in-fighting spilling into the open and the progressive base publicly calling for new leadership. ...
Placeholder polling news
November 13, 2025 |
Polling News
As the government shutdown nears its end, Republicans are regaining the upper hand and Democrats are in disarray. No one should get comfortable, however, because when the government reopens, the GOP will face its next challenge: addressing healthcare. Sim...
Placeholder polling news
November 06, 2025 |
Polling News
Now that the 2025 elections are over, all eyes are turning to 2026. The latest NBC News poll found voters are disappointed with the Trump Administration on the economy, inflation and cost of living, and looking out for the Middle Class. How will those iss...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance