President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are taking a nosedive among black voters, while former President Donald Trump is gaining significant traction. This analysis, conducted by CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten, highlights a remarkable shift in the political landscape. According to Enten, Trump is “careening towards a historic performance” among black voters, a demographic that has traditionally been a stronghold for the Democratic Party.
The most recent polling data, compared to the same period during the 2020 campaign, shows a dramatic increase in support for Trump among black voters. Back in 2020, Trump had the support of only 7% of black voters. Today, that figure has tripled to 21%. On the other hand, Biden’s support has plummeted from 86% in 2020 to just 70% now. Enten noted that this trend shows no signs of reversing, suggesting that Trump could achieve a historic level of support among black voters not seen in six decades.
Enten’s analysis further reveals that Biden’s declining support is particularly pronounced among black voters under the age of 50. While Biden still holds a 37-point lead over Trump in this demographic, this represents a steep decline from the 80-point lead he enjoyed at the same point in 2020. This significant shift indicates a growing disillusionment with the Democratic Party among younger black voters, who have traditionally been a key part of its coalition.
The polling data also shows a decrease in Biden’s support among black voters over 50, although the decline is less dramatic. Biden’s lead over Trump in this age group has dropped from +83 points in 2020 to +74 points now. This erosion of support across different age groups highlights the challenges Biden faces in maintaining the loyalty of a demographic that has been crucial to Democratic victories in the past.
Trump, seizing the opportunity to build on this momentum, engaged directly with black voters over the weekend. He participated in a roundtable discussion with community and religious leaders in Detroit, addressing their concerns and frustrations with the Biden administration. During the event, a pastor expressed gratitude to Trump for visiting the community, noting that Biden and former President Barack Obama had never made such an effort. This outreach is part of a broader strategy by the Trump campaign, which also launched its black voter coalition at the event, with prominent black political leaders like Dr. Ben Carson, Rep. John James (R-MI), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in attendance.
The Trump campaign emphasized the significance of this shift, stating, “Historic rates of Black voters now support President Trump, and the reason is simple: Black voters know that President Trump is the only presidential candidate who can deliver results on day one because he already has.” This assertion underscores the campaign’s confidence in its ability to attract and retain black voter support, which could prove pivotal in the upcoming election.
