Donald Trump’s Unfavorable Numbers Almost As Bad As Sarah Palin’s

Doug Mataconis · Thursday, April 7, 2011 · 1 comment

A new Gallup poll shows that few people don’t have an opinion about Donald Trump, and a substantial plurality don’t like him very much:

PRINCETON, NJ — Americans have mixed opinions about businessman, television personality, and potential presidential candidate Donald Trump, with 43% saying their opinion is favorable and 47% holding an unfavorable opinion. Trump’s public image is roughly the same now as it was in September 1999, just before the real estate mogul formed an exploratory committee to investigate the possibility of running for president on the Reform Party ticket.
Never one to shy away from an opportunity to be in the public eye, Trump has in recent weeks made a number of comments suggesting he might consider running for the GOP nomination in 2012. Observers are unsure of whether Trump has serious presidential ambitions, or is making an effort to increase his exposure and, hence, the ratings for his NBC television show “The Celebrity Apprentice.” In a “Today” show interview April 7, Trump appeared to be serious, saying, “If I decide to run, I will do the best job. I will be best for this country.”
Trump’s interest in running for president in 1999 led to Gallup’s first measurement of his image among the public, with results quite similar to those today. Gallup’s most recent measure of Trump’s image was in 2007, when he was publicly feuding with television personality Rosie O’Donnell. Americans’ views of him then were also similar to their views today — 41% had a favorable opinion, and 48% an unfavorable opinion.

As with Palin, although not to the same extent, Trump is viewed more favorably by Republicans than he is by Democrats or Independents:

This is hardly surprising. Trump has made a reputation by being bombastic and, quite honestly, a jerk. The idea that he has any chance of becoming President is really quite laughable.