[00:00:00] John Zogby: Americans remain split on this, polarizing figure.
[00:00:04] Jeremy Zogby: obviously those are two different variables, pride and shame versus who you would rather lead
[00:00:12] 48% who say that they would rather President Trump lead the country versus only 42%, who say Harris?
[00:00:21] the Democrats really need to start thinking about how to be proactive and less reactive.
[00:00:27] And here's the data. I think that's probably gonna help shed light on that.
[00:00:38]
[00:00:38] John Zogby: It's Tuesday, April 1st, and this is a special edition of Real Polling In Real Time with Zogby because we have a real poll and it's hot off the press, and we're both anxious to share with you some details. How are you doing Jar?
[00:00:53] Jeremy Zogby: I am doing great. what are our listeners going to learn from this? This latest [00:01:00] poll
[00:01:00] John Zogby: We're gonna start right in with a question that's unique to Zogby for the last 28 years. It goes back to Bill Clinton's presidency and every president since then. Basic question, are you proud or ashamed? I. That so and so is president of the United States. This is very revealing and it's a way of, getting behind the curtain of public opinion and taking a look, at what Americans are really thinking.
[00:01:30] From there, we're gonna take a look at the, of course, the president's job approval and wonder how there can be a disconnect. Between those who approve and those who are ashamed. And then, the, third and I think very important is with 71 72 days into his honeymoon, who do Americans prefer to have in the White House?
[00:01:57] Donald Trump or Kamala [00:02:00] Harris? And there's another surprise there. There's more to come. Do you want to add something in the, highlights before we jump right into the details?
[00:02:08] Jeremy Zogby: No, I think that covers the gist of what we're gonna talk about. Let's get
[00:02:11] John Zogby: so let's get started. Are you proud or ashamed that Donald Trump is president of the United States and 44% of likely voters? This was over the weekend, said that they were, are ashamed that he's president, only 39, said that they're proud and 17%. said that they're undecided, they're, not sure the usual partisan lines.
[00:02:41] 82% of Democrats are ashamed. 77% of Republicans significant number there, are, proud. but the real story here, right off the top are independents. That's what swings an [00:03:00] election and swings the success of a presidency. 45% of independents are ashamed. only 31% are proud that he's president and a full one in four 24% say that they're not sure.
[00:03:17] Now, age groups, no real significance there. College degree plus 48% ashamed at only 36% proud. But on the other hand, the president's, has lost some ground. Among, Hispanic voters. Remember that was a kind of an even split in terms of support in 2024, but now only 20, 34% of Hispanics say that they're proud, 45 ashamed.
[00:03:53] I. On the other hand, among blacks where the President got really for a Republican, a pretty high [00:04:00] number of black supporters, 24% say that they're proud that Donald Trump is president. 59% are ashamed, but 24% seems to be holding that support. Now, who would they prefer as president today? Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, 48% say that they would prefer Donald Trump as president of the United States to 42% for Harris.
[00:04:31] The story here is that despite a rocky period in the White House, and despite headlines, that indicate gloom and doom, on the part of, the attitudes of the American people. The Democrats have just not been able to take advantage or make any gains on that. And again, one final point on this independence where you had seen a 14 point.
[00:04:59] [00:05:00] Differential. 45 of independents ashamed and 31% proud that Donald Trump is president. Who do they prefer in the White House today? 43% prefer Trump. Over 37% for Harris. 20% are undecided. We'll get into job approval in a second, but, what do you think? And then I'll tell you what I think.
[00:05:27] Jeremy Zogby: Yeah. I, wanna go back to a previous question here, that asked which view do voters take in terms of, Trump's leadership style? one statement was that in the short term, it may appear chaotic to opponents. but the long-term strategy will be successful. Versus what we commonly [00:06:00] see in the media.
[00:06:01] And might I add the media frenzy? Trump is making it up as he goes along. there is no strategy and it will all fail. And what we see here is the public is divided, 45%, believe the latter that it's, he's just making it up. 44% believe that. Basically trust in the method. there is a method to the madness. And so we're really divided over there. But what I wanna look at, is a key group that you taught me to, to look at, over the years, and we've resurrected here, is the weekly Walmart shopper. Walmart is the biggest, box store in the country without a doubt. And I believe, if I'm not mistaken about the data, that it is the number one. Grocery store. It's the one most frequented. And so [00:07:00] it's an important, to look at in terms of, of dicing Americans into cohorts. And so when you drill down, and I've got the cross tabs up here for viewers, can see those who shop at Walmart weekly, 53%, side with the notion. That if you scan the environment, it may look chaotic, but he's positioning himself and the United States to be successful.
[00:07:30] 53% with that notion. And only 36% of weekly Walmart shoppers think that, it's all, flying by the seat of his pants. Now, we have to be clear here that you go to any Walmart in a, let's say. a city, not a rural place. you will see all walks of life. You will see all races, you'll see all age groups.
[00:07:59] [00:08:00] So I think it's pretty indicative now to get back to the point or the question as to reconciling how more voters are ashamed of Trump than proud. But, on the flip side, there is a notable gap. 48% who say that they would rather President Trump be p lead the country and lead the country in the world today. versus only 42%, who say Harris? obviously those are two different variables, pride and shame versus who you would rather lead. And it really just all goes back to the notion that the United States, would disagree. is in a, the world, United States, the world is facing tumultuous times. this is, [00:09:00] a very chaotic world. A lot of analysts liken this to, the time before World War ii, with the talk of. Trade wars, and there's currency wars and there's geopolitical tensions, not in just one area, but the globe. And so with that political reality, voters are telling us that they put aside the notion of having a president that they could be proud of, a president that they could like, and a president that could make them smile and, feel good inside. Rather they prefer somebody who could get in the room with a Vladimir Putin, wi with a she, that is the Chinese Premier and, a very, chaotic world. clearly prefer Trump over Harrison. So I think that's how we reconcile that.
[00:09:58] John Zogby: Yeah. And [00:10:00] I think, in addition to that, which is very astute, we've always had a tendency to, find those bellwether groups and the weekly Walmart shoppers go back to early George W. Bush. Because, weekly Walmart shoppers were a way of identifying middle America, working class America.
[00:10:29] Over that quarter of a century, we have seen a significant demographic change, among weekly Walmart shoppers from, a more rural, more traditional, a more white and a less college educated group of people, young people saying they wouldn't be caught dead.
[00:10:51] Inside of Walmart to a much more eclectic group, as Walmarts have spread into cities and into [00:11:00] suburbs and, have a much more, diverse audience. Walmart Choppers told us. That George W. Bush would win. Barack Obama solidly had weekly Walmart, shoppers. Hillary Clinton did not have them on her side, and then they shifted to Donald Trump, although for a while they were supporting Joe Biden in the first year of his presidency.
[00:11:27] So this is a bellwether group. And, that is one identifier, the numbers you just, shared. And another one that you have pioneered in that's very revealing in all of the questions that we've done are those who are devotees of traditional mainstream media versus those who follow closely new media.
[00:11:52] And what we find is that among new media. voters, it tilts [00:12:00] very heavily towards Trump, among traditional media voters. It tilts Democrat, but there are so many ways to slice and dice these numbers. But the upshot of this is that Americans remain split on this, polarizing figure.
[00:12:19] Jeremy Zogby: Yeah. and I, and we'll move on, but I, just want to, go back here because, on the, we're still here on the, who do you prefer to be president? And you look at race, you look at black voters, 25% Trump. That was, I don't think it was that quite high. In, the exit polls following, the election, but it was higher than what we're accustomed to.
[00:12:44] But that's pretty revealing. then it's split between Hispanics 46 46. I also need to point out with a four year degree edge. Those, edge, there's a slight preference for [00:13:00] Trump. 45% of those with a college degree or more, and 44% of that group. For Harris. That's pretty revealing. And then the last thing on this question is in the, trusted media demographic, look at the, those who trust local news, 51% prefer Trump to 33%. preference for Kamala Harris, that speaks volumes to the Democratic party, to their platform, and to basically their national game. there's something about Trump in his, game that penetrates to the local level. and that's very significant. So let's move on now and we'll just, through this to, we'll start with overall, approval disapproval, and then we'll drill down to a few key Trump issues.
[00:13:59] And, [00:14:00] maybe to save time, we won't do the, demographic analysis. Maybe we just.
[00:14:05] at the, the overall results. So do you, wanna, do you want to take approval
[00:14:11] John Zogby: I'll take the overall approval, is 47% who approve of the job that, Trump is doing. 49%. Disapprove. That's pretty much the national average of polls. 4% are undecided. highly partisan. One demographic that's important is strangely, 51% of independents disapprove, 41% approve. that is almost similar to independents.
[00:14:51] who are ashamed. Versus proud, but then they prefer Trump. Still prefer Trump over Harris. This is a message for [00:15:00] Democrats and if they look to be in disarray and confused, this is a reason why they seem to have lost middle America and, just don't have a message. But I commented, you go right ahead and zip through, some of the other approvals.
[00:15:18] Jeremy Zogby: yeah, let me address that. And I was thinking, I've been thinking about that, 'cause we're still at even divide over approval disapproval. And, this question is, you've already noted is the overall, it's the top of mind approval rating of Jo of Trump's job to date. And, the thing that I realized about the Democrats, and I've said this before, but I'm really understanding it more, it's, they're too reactive. they're always looking for a way to melt down over what Trump said or did, and the media follows, and it's the headlines that he, did this, he said this. And look, there are [00:16:00] some things, especially one that's going on right now. That, I, if I were an advisor, a White House advisor, I would strongly advise against it. But that doesn't take away from the fact that being overly reactive is a terrible strategy. It didn't work in 2016 and it had, it didn't work in 2024. And I liken it to the teacher comes into the room, with all of the knowledge, very worldly. And thinks that the students, especially students from tough socioeconomic backgrounds, are just gonna fall in place and be wowed by the intelligence of this worldly teacher.
[00:16:44] Only to find that the students don't really care. They, don't relate to the teacher, and all the teacher can do is just get angry and start yelling and try to kick people out of the class. They're not maintaining order the in order to do it in [00:17:00] that situation, you have to be proactive. I could spend a whole podcast on what that means, but the Democrats really need to start thinking about how to be proactive and less reactive.
[00:17:13] And here's the data. I think that's probably gonna help shed light on that. So we see the overall disapproval and approval rating is split, but here's where we really get an understanding. I. Of why Trump, is more preferred despite all of what is going on, in terms of the media frenzy. And he said this, and he did that.
[00:17:36] When we look at, his, immigration policy and securing the border, have 58% of voters who approve only 38% who disapprove. When you drill down to. Fighting inflation. And again, this is perception, okay? fighting inflation and the cost of living. You've [00:18:00] got 49%, versus 45%, 49% approved, 45% disapprove. not setting the world on fire, but an edge. let's go to, positioning to strengthen America's standing in the world. I. 53% approve, 40% disapprove. I'll do a one or two more here if this is a big one. cutting waste and corruption. 57% approve, disapprove. I'll stop there. Let that sink in when you, I think this really helps us understand. all of what we've been talking about that, that Trump is, he's polarizing. People don't like him, but voters, by and large still prefer him to [00:19:00] be in office over the alternative.
[00:19:02] John Zogby: Amen. I can't say anything different. And for everybody's information, the poll was taken this past Saturday and Sunday, so it's really hot off the press the 30th. And 31st. it is among a thousand likely voters nationwide. And, importantly in our sample. Democrats and Republicans, the ratio was similar to the ratio, of the exit polls in the 2024 election.
[00:19:36] Now, a heads up, this is where we're at now, but this is a dynamic world and so this very day, Tuesday, there are a few special. Elections, one in Wisconsin, two in the state of Florida, that we are all watching very carefully. And if there are democratic victories or democratic, better than expected showings, [00:20:00] that could launch a completely different conversation.
[00:20:04] And then of course, Wednesday. Tomorrow is Liberation Day. That's when we find out details of, president Trump's, tariffs, and, and economic policy. And so expect us to be back later on this week to discuss, these major events. So that's all for me for now.
[00:20:27] Jeremy Zogby: Yeah, I'm just gonna remind, our listeners, check us out, on our website. Take a look at the website, share it with folks, johnzogbystrategies.com. You can find us on X. the, the handle is at zogby strategies. And, if you are listening to this podcast on a variety of different platforms, whether it's SoundCloud or YouTube, or Spotify, apple Podcast, or even just coming to our website [00:21:00] or you're already receiving it, you have signed up to be. On our email blast by going to the contact button on our website, johnzogbystrategies.com. We encourage you to share it and I, I do have to say, a lot of folks are sharing it and please don't stop. Please up the ante if you would
[00:21:21] John Zogby: Okay, thanks. See you later in the week. I'll see you later today. Take care.
[00:21:25] Jeremy Zogby: take care. [00:22:00] [00:23:00] [00:24:00]