Washington: In a recent Wall Street Journal poll, former President Donald Trump led Vice President Kamala Harris by 2% in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for November 5, with Trump receiving 47% of the vote compared to 45% for Harris.
The poll, conducted Oct. 19-22 of 1,500 registered voters, has a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points.
The shift comes as Trump’s approval ratings for his presidency reach a historic high, reflecting a complex landscape in which both candidates work to consolidate their support.
The poll indicates that negative advertising campaigns and the performance of the candidates have negatively affected Harris’ standing since she assumed the position of Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July.
Harris’ approval ratings fell, with only 42% of voters approving of her performance as vice president, her lowest rating in three Wall Street Journal polls since the summer.
Despite Trump’s controversial tenure, he continues to receive support for his policies, especially regarding the economy.
Voters indicated a preference for Trump over Harris on economic management, with a 12-point lead on the issue, which represents an increase from the 8-point lead recorded in August.
Trump also edged out Harris on immigration, strengthening his position as a viable candidate despite ongoing personal differences.
In recent weeks, Trump has faced serious accusations, including a lawsuit brought by former model Stacy Williams, who claims he harassed her in 1993 during a meeting arranged by Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawsuit alleges that Trump acted inappropriately during the incident while smiling at Epstein, contributing to the current climate of scrutiny surrounding his candidacy.
Adding to this controversy is that former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly publicly condemned Trump, describing him as a “fascist” and an authoritarian who admires dictatorial leadership.
Kelly’s comments reflect broader criticism of Trump’s approach to governing, suggesting that if re-elected, Trump will further undermine democratic norms.
These allegations are likely to sway voters who are concerned about the implications of Trump’s leadership style.
In contrast, Harris, who is now active in her election campaign, emphasized the potential consequences of a Trump presidency for global stability.
During a rally in Wisconsin, she warned that Trump’s return to power could embolden leaders like Vladimir Putin, noting that “Putin will sit in Kiev” if Trump is in office, hinting at a major shift in US foreign policy under his leadership.
Despite these allegations against Trump, a competing Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Harris maintains a slight lead over Trump nationally, by 46% to 43%.
This six-day poll, which closed earlier this week, reveals a bleak outlook among voters regarding the economy, with 70% believing the cost of living is on the wrong track and 60% feeling the economy is headed in the wrong direction.
As Election Day approaches, voter enthusiasm appears high, with nearly 25 million ballots already cast through early voting and mail-in ballots.
A recent Wall Street Journal poll shows a significant increase in voter confidence, with 79% of registered voters — 87% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans — expressing that they are “pretty sure” they will vote, a notable rise from 74% in the 2020 election. Election.
This signals a tight race just two weeks before the November 5 election, amid widespread concerns among voters that the country is on the wrong track.
Previously, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris had a narrow 46% to 43% lead over former Republican President Donald Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Both candidates face an uphill battle to rally their bases. Despite Harris’ current lead in national opinion polls, her advantage may not translate into a victory in the Electoral College, which ultimately determines the presidency.
Trump has previously shown his strength in battleground states, having won the electoral college against Hillary Clinton in 2016, despite losing the popular vote.
As the race heats up, both campaigns will focus on increasing turnout among their supporters. With voter turnout reaching its highest levels in more than a century during the last presidential election, the stakes are high for both candidates as they navigate a landscape of high tension and divided public opinion.
As the election date approaches, the final weeks of campaigning will be crucial in determining who will emerge victorious in this intense race.