Mike Johnson recently appeared on CNBC News, where he gushed about President Trump and his supposed rise in popularity.
“[Trump’s] approval ratings are skyrocketing,” Johnson said excitedly.
“CNN had a story a day or two ago — he was at a 90 percent approval rating! There’s never been a president that high,” he declared.
However, according to a CNN article published on July 17, a new poll conducted by the network showed that only 42 percent of Americans approve of the president, with just 37 percent believing he’s prioritized the right issues.
Elsewhere, a Reuters/Ipsos poll reported that 41 percent of Americans surveyed gave Trump a positive job approval rating.
A third survey by The Economist and YouGov revealed that 55 percent of respondents disapproved of Trump’s performance.
The most favorable recent result came from Rasmussen Reports, which found that 50 percent of Americans supported the former president as of July 18.
So, where did Johnson get the 90 percent figure from?
According to MSNBC, the House Speaker may have only been referring to Republican approval ratings. CNN’s poll indicated that 88 percent of Republicans approve of Trump — a figure Johnson seemingly rounded up.
While Trump’s allies often suggest he is among the most popular presidents in U.S. history, AZ Central notes otherwise.
The highest recorded approval rating goes to Bill Clinton, who reached 66 percent. Ronald Reagan followed closely with 63 percent, and Barack Obama peaked at 59 percent.
At the bottom of the historical rankings is Richard Nixon, whose approval dropped to a dismal 24 percent.
And while Nixon hit rock bottom, Trump holds the distinction of having the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president in the last six decades.
Interestingly, Trump’s approval today mirrors the sentiment from his early presidency. In 2017, 42 percent of Americans approved of Trump after his first 100 days — the exact same rating CNN’s current poll reports.
