Trump Is Alive, For Now
New polling reveals increased skepticism about Trump’s health and fitness for the job
Newly released polling from YouGov suggests many Americans are beginning to have the same concerns about Trump, only seven months into his presidency, that many had of Joe Biden two and a half years into his.
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When asked whether Americans believe Trump’s health and age are having an impact on his ability to fulfill his duties as president, 39 percent say they are severely limiting his abilities, while another 21 percent say they are having some impact.
Only 26 percent of Americans, and barely over half of Republicans, say his age and health are having no effect at all on his ability to do the job.
Those who say Trump’s physical capabilities are having a severe impact on his ability to do the job sit at 67 percent among Democrats, and more notably, 40 percent among independents. Only 20 percent of independents believe that it is having no effect on his ability to do the job, suggesting he is on a very rocky path moving forward.
As such, only 29 percent of Americans say that Trump has provided enough information about his physical health, with 60 percent of Republicans, and just under a quarter of independents, agreeing as much.
On the other side, nearly half of Americans say that he has not provided enough information about his physical health, which was highest among Democrats at 83 percent, followed by independents at 48 percent.
Even 16 percent of Republicans say their president has not provided enough information about his physical health, raising a number of concerns moving forward.
Not only do Americans believe Trump has withheld too much about his physical well-being, but they are also more likely than not to distrust the information the White House puts out on the topic.
Among all respondents, 52 percent of Americans say they have little or no trust at all in the information the White House releases about Trump’s health, while only 35 percent say they have a great deal of trust, or somewhat trust, that same information.
Once again, Republicans are far more likely to trust information coming out of the White House on this issue, with 63 percent agreeing, while only 27 percent of independents and 14 percent of Democrats say the same.
Before the Trump health rumors began to take off, Vance made an off-the-cuff remark during an interview last week, saying, “If, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy (regarding Trump), I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days.”
As such, Americans were asked whether they believe Vance is qualified to take over as president, should something happen to Trump.
Overall, 45 percent of Americans believe he is not qualified, a sentiment shared among 78 percent of Democrats and 46 percent of independents. By comparison, 37 percent believe he would be qualified, with 75 percent of Republicans and 27 percent of independents sharing that view.
As such, the polling suggests a deepening skepticism among Americans about Trump’s health and the White House's transparency around the issue, with independents being particularly skeptical.
Whether we’ll receive an open and honest dialogue about the president’s health is yet to be seen.