Monmouth Poll: President Trump's approval rating gets slight bump

WEST LONG BRANCH - President Donald Trump saw a slight bump in his approval rating but the country is still largely split on his behavior, especially toward Republican colleagues.

According to a Monmouth University poll, about 41 percent of registered voters approve of Trump's time in the White House, a 2-point increase over a poll released last month. About 49 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's job as president, compared with 52 percent last month.

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The poll was conducted over the weekend and respondents were not asked about the clashes between white supremacists and counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“There just hasn’t been a huge shift in Trump’s job rating over the past few months," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "There is some degree of settling in with the public as his policy agenda has been overshadowed by his behavior."

The poll revealed that the country is fairly divided when it comes to Trump's temperament. According to the poll:

49 percent believe it's a good thing if Trump makes career politicians uncomfortable.

believe it's a good thing if Trump makes career politicians uncomfortable. 52 percent believe Trump's treatment of Republicans in Congress has made it difficult to further his agenda.

believe Trump's treatment of Republicans in Congress has made it difficult to further his agenda. 53 percent believe Trump should change the way he behaves towards congressional Republicans.

believe Trump should change the way he behaves towards congressional Republicans. 32 percent would be satisfied if Trump's sole legacy was "disrupting" career politician.

would be satisfied if Trump's sole legacy was "disrupting" career politician. 39 percent believe Trump's promise to "drain the swamp" has not happened.

Among Trump's biggest fans, support is "locked in," Murray said. Of those who approved of Trump's job as president, 61 percent said they can't see Trump doing anything that would change their mind.

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That base of support comes largely from white people who are at least 55 years old, according to the poll.

About 57 percent of those who disapprove of Trump said nothing would make them reverse course.

“There is a certain degree of ambivalence about the president’s persona," Murray said. "Many Americans feel that Trump setting Washington politicians on edge is simply giving them what they deserve. At the same time, there is concern that his behavior could hinder progress on bread and butter issues."

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Mike Davis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com