More Americans say US on wrong track than at any point: poll

WASHINGTON — With the November election three months away, more Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction than at any previous point in Donald Trump's presidency.

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also finds Trump's approval for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic falling to a new low, with just 32% of Americans supportive of his approach. Even Trump's standing on the economy has fallen over the past few months after seeming ascendant earlier this year.

The AP-NORC poll makes clear the challenge ahead for Trump: 8 in 10 Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. That's more than at any point since Trump took office. The poll also finds just 38% of Americans say the national economy is good, down from 67% in January, before the pandemic upended most aspects of everyday life.

Another pandemic test for the president lies ahead in August and September. The poll finds that about third of Americans are opposed entirely to the idea of reopening schools, while close to half say major adjustments to instruction will be required.

Overall, 38% of Americans approve of the president's job performance — well within the narrow range that Trump's approval ratings have stayed throughout this presidency, but down slightly from earlier this year before the pandemic.

Most Republicans — 81% — approve of Trump's job performance, but just 68% of Republicans support his handling of the pandemic.

AP