President Trump shared Thursday “great news” on Twitter from Fox Business Network, which reported that a Georgetown University poll found the president’s approval rating at 55 percent.
But Mo Elleithee, director of Georgetown’s Institute of Politics & Public Service, corrected Mr. Trump, saying Fox Business misread the poll and that the number is actually his unfavorable rating.
“The Battleground Poll shows 58% approval on the economy. But it shows only 43% overall approval, & 52% disapproval. The 55% number is the President’s unfavorable rating. (Only 40% favorable)” tweeted Mr. Elleithee, who is a frequent Fox News guest as well.
Fox Business issued an on-air correction Thursday morning, saying its graphic was “not entirely accurate.”
“Fifty-eight percent of respondents approved of the president’s handling of the economy. That portion of the graphic was right,” said Fox Business’ Blake Burman. “However, the graphic also showed that 55 percent of the respondents approve of the president, that number is not correct. The 55 percent number was those who have an unfavorable impression of President Trump.”
As of noon Thursday, Mr. Trump has yet to take down his tweet or provide clarification.
Georgetown polled 1,000 likely voters from March 31 to April 4 with a standard deviation of plus/minus 3.1%.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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