67% of Americans don’t trust Trump on coronavirus pandemic, poll finds

As the coronavirus spreads throughout the U.S., a majority of Americans -- 67% -- say they don’t trust President Donald Trump to speak truthfully about the pandemic, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll, and 62% say he’s actually “hurting” efforts to slow its spread.

Public approval over his handling of the pandemic is at an all-time low since polling began in March, with 35% now approving and 62% disapproving, according to the poll.

New COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise, prompting some states to issue mask mandates, and even roll back reopening measures, in an effort to regain control over the outbreak, McClatchy News reports.

As of Wednesday, there have been 3.4 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 137,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.

Now about five months into the pandemic, a majority of Americans, 53%, have caught the virus or know someone who has, the Quinnipiac poll found.

And despite the raging war on masks, a strong majority support wearing them: 80% believe they are helpful in slowing the virus’ spread, and 71% polled said people should be required to wear them in public, compared with 26% who said otherwise.

Most feel the president should mask up, too, with 73% saying he should keep his face covered when out in public.

Many disagree with Trump’s stance on reopening schools, the poll shows; only 29% said they approve of how he’s handled the issue, compared with 61% who disapprove.

The pandemic has battered the economy as well, and that may present a challenge to Trump and his bid for re-election.

“Trump’s strongest card, the economy, shredded by a killer virus, may have left the president with no go-to issue or trait to stave off defeat,” Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said.

“Yes, there’s still 16 weeks until Election Day, but this is a very unpleasant real-time look at what the future could be for President Trump,” Malloy said.

The poll was taken July 9-13, and 1,273 registered voters were randomly surveyed, according to Quinnipiac. The poll has a 2.8% margin of error.

This story was originally published July 15, 2020 at 7:25 PM.