communicating in crisis · 2020-07-22 · donald trump already wears a mask as often as he should...

Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Latest wave conducted July 16-July 20, 2020. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Communicating in Crisis

Update:Wednesday, July 22


Key takeaways:

• Three in four now say the country is “off on the wrong track.”

• Americans increasingly identify as pro-mask and say those who don't wear one are "irresponsible" and "selfish.”

• The public thinks Trump should have been wearing a mask a long time ago and trusts Dr. Fauci over Trump to handle decisions on reopening – including schools.


34 31 30 3329 28

3328 30 31 28

22 23 23 22 22 19

57 59 60 60 59 61 59 59 61 6166 68 69 71 70 70

75

3/23 3/30 4/6 4/13 4/20 4/27 5/4 5/11 5/18 5/25 6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 6/29 7/6 7/13 7/20

Generally speaking, would you say the country today is…

Off on the wrong track

Since the beginning of our tracking on March 23, there has been an 18-point increase in the share who say the country is “off on the wrong track.”• The majority of Republicans (52%) now say the country is “off on the wrong track,” while only 38% say it's

headed in the “right direction.” Two months ago, Republicans were positive on this question (59% “right direction,” 34% “wrong track”).

Headed in the right direction

Three in Four Now Say Country “Off on the Wrong Track”


Three in five Americans now disapprove of Trump’s handling of his job as president – a record high in Navigator dating back to April 2018 – while approval of his handling of the pandemic has declined a net -10 points in the past month.• Among independents, Trump’s approval on handling the pandemic is at net -50; on June 22, he was at -33 among

independents on his handling of the pandemic.

Trump Approval Ratings Remain at Low Point

Approve Disapprove

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Donald Trump is handling…

July 20 June 22 March 23

-23 -17 -2

-19 -18 -2

-24 -14 +10

-9 -2 +10

-28 -26 n/a

38

39

37

44

33

3

2

3

6

61

58

61

53

61

His job as president

The issue of health care

The coronavirus pandemic

The economy

Responding to the protests that have taken place after the death of George Floyd

Not sureNET Approve


The vast majority of Americans (83%) continue to hear at least some negative things about President Trump, which are mostly focused on the pandemic and his push to reopen schools in the fall, much like last week.

Coronavirus and Trump’s Push to Reopen Schools Continue to Dominate Negative Conversation Around Him

In a few words, what negative things have you seen, read, or heard recently about Donald Trump?

“For one thing, they say Trump wants to open all schools in the fall, but that will make the virus spread more.”

“All schools have to open to receive federal funds.”

“That Trump wants the schools to reopen and that he refuses to wear a mask.”

“That he is doing everything he can to downplay coronavirus including ignoring the fact that the virus will get much worse as a result of his policies.”

June 22

July 13

June 29

July 20


62

50 5044

5446 48 47 44

4853

5963 66

1722 23 23 21

2520 19 20 20

16 16 16 17

2128 27

3325

30 31 33

36

32 3125

2117

4/13 4/20 4/27 5/4 5/11 5/18 5/25 6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 6/29 7/6 7/13 7/20

When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, do you personally think that…

The worst is over

Since June 8, the share who say the “worst is yet to come” in the pandemic has grown by 22 points, while less than one in five now say that the “worst is over.”• Since June 8, the share who think the “worst is yet to come” has grown by 20 points among Republicans, from

25% to 45%, and by 25 points among independents, from 41% to 66%.

The worst is yet to come

Share Who Think “Worst is Yet to Come” Continues to Rise

Don’t know


59 57 56 5660 62 63 60 58 59

6355 58 56

61 63 66

26 26 27 25 28 2529 31 32 29 30

34 33 3531 29

24

3/23 3/30 4/6 4/13 4/20 4/27 5/4 5/11 5/18 5/25 6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 6/29 7/6 7/13 7/20

When it comes to social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic, which of the following concerns you more right now?

Social distancing will end too soon and prolong the pandemic, endangering the economy and putting American lives at risk

Since June 8, there has been an 11-point increase in the share who are more concerned social distancing will end too soon rather than go on too long.• On a separate question, 54% say that we need more aggressive social distancing measures, while only 11% say

we should relax social distancing measures.

Social distancing will go on too long and cause unnecessary damage to the economy and Americans’ livelihoods

Two in Three Concerned Social Distancing Will End Too Soon


More than four in five say they are pro-mask – while more than two in three identify the president as “anti-mask.”• The share who say they are pro-mask has grown 8 points since a month ago, from 73% June 22 to 81% today.• On a separate question, 63% say they wear a mask every time they leave their home.

There are differing opinions on whether or not people should be wearing masks right now when they are in public, but if you had to choose, would you say that you are generally pro-mask or anti-mask?

Trump Seen as Anti-Mask and Out of Step with Public on Masks

Nationwide survey of 1,022 registered voters; April 17-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Do you think Donald Trump has generally been pro-mask or anti-mask?

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Nationwide survey of 1,608 registered voters; June 4-8, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

14

5

6

28

16

5

31

25

70

90

63

47

Pro-mask Anti-maskNot sure

81

93

82

65

4

8

8

15

5

10

27

Nationwide survey of 1,009 registered voters; June 11-15, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,013 registered voters; June 18-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org”Parents” are those who self-report having a child/children under the age of 18. Nationwide survey of 1,002 registered voters; July 9-13, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

Pro-mask Anti-maskNot sure

Nationwide survey of 1,015 registered voters; July 16-20, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org


While a vast majority say that Trump should wear a mask in public more often, after seeing a photo of him recently wearing one, nearly two in three say that he “was far too late in wearing a mask.”

When it comes to Donald Trump wearing a protective face mask, which of the following comes closest to your opinion?

Majority Say Trump Should Wear Mask More & Should Have Worn One Earlier


Seeing this photo, which is your view:

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans


Donald Trump should wear a mask in public

more often

71

89

71

48

9

4

18

14

14

8

30

6

5

8


Donald Trump already wears a mask as often as

he should

Donald Trump should never wear a

mask

Not sure

He was far too late in wearing a mask – he

should have done this a long time ago to

show people it is the right thing to do

He should not have worn the

mask

64

88

69

33

9

3

14

15

24

7

11

48

6

Now that the country is

experiencing a surge, this was the

right time for him to wear a mask publicly

Not sure



The vast majority say that people who don’t wear masks in public places are putting others at risk and deserve to be called out, and top descriptors that emerge for not wearing masks include “irresponsible,” selfish,” and “dangerous.”

Which of the following do you agree with more?

Three in Four Say People Without Masks Should Be Called Out, Say It’s Irresponsible, Selfish


When you see people not wearing masks at public gatherings, what words come to mind to describe what they’re doing?

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans


People who don’t wear masks in public places are putting others at risk and deserve to be called out

There is too much shaming of people for not wearing masks

75

91

73

55

25

9

27

45


53%

41

29

29

27

23

22

17

Irresponsible

Selfish

Dangerous

Reckless

Disrespectful

Foolish

Harmful

None of these

Dem Ind Rep

60 55 43

49 39 32

36 29 22

37 32 19

30 22 23

26 25 19

25 22 17

5 14 31



Dr. Fauci has become a household name and remains one of America's most popular public figures, as Americans trust him more to decide when and how to reopen the country than Trump.• The share familiar with Fauci has grown from 66% on April 1 to 85% today.

Please indicate how favorable or unfavorable you are to: Dr. Anthony Fauci

Fauci Well-Liked and Well-Known, More Trusted to Decide How to Reopen Than Trump


Who do you trust more to decide how and when we should reopen different parts of the country?

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans


61

88

57

28

16

10

31

20

23

12

52

Favorable UnfavorableNot sure

69

85

59

51

15

10

26

18

16

5

15

31


Dr. Anthony Fauci Donald TrumpNot sure



Nearly three in four say that Trump should be listening to Dr. Fauci’s advice on reopening the country, while two in five say they are most worried Trump is rejecting Fauci’s advice on reopening the country safely.

Do you think Donald Trump should…

Majority Say Trump Should Pay More Attention to Fauci, Worry He’s Rejecting Fauci’s Advice on Reopening


Which, if any, of the following worries you the most?

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans


Pay more attention to Dr. Fauci and listen to his advice on coronavirus and reopening the economy

Pay less attention to Dr. Fauci and go to other people for advice on

coronavirus and reopening the economyNot sure

69

89

73

43

12

7

12

19

19

4

15

38


41%

34

29

26

25

Donald Trump has decided to reject Dr. Fauci’s advice on how to reopen the country safely

Donald Trump has directed his staff to publicly attack and attempt to discredit Dr. Fauci

Donald Trump has directed his staff to prevent Dr. Fauci from going on television to speak

about confronting coronavirus

Donald Trump has stopped taking regular briefings from Dr. Fauci

None of these



Three in five disapprove of how the president is handling the issue, with net approval down 6 points since July 13.• Among those living in suburban areas, net approval for Trump’s handling of reopening schools is down 11 points

since last week (from net -22 to -33)

Do you approve or disapprove of how President Trump is handling the issue of whether or not to reopen schools this fall?

Disapproval Growing on Trump’s Push to Reopen Schools


Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

Parents


Approve DisapproveNot sure

31

5

20

65

37

8

3

19

11

7

61

92

61

24

56

Nationwide survey of 1,009 registered voters; June 11-15, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide survey of 1,013 registered voters; June 18-22, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.orgNationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Latest wave conducted July 16-July 20, 2020. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org

July 13

Approve Disapprove

32 56

6 83

19 66

67 19

35 51


Support for reopening K-12 schools at the end of the summer continues to decline since June 1, with net support now having shifted 29 points (from +14 to -15).• Among parents, there has been a net shift of 41 points since June 1, from +27 to -14.

Do you support or oppose allowing K-12 schools in [STATE] to open at the end of the summer?

Majority Continue to Oppose Reopening Schools

38

222661

40

3640

9

8

17

6

6

9

8

53

705733

54

5552

Overall

Democrats

Independents

Republicans

*Parents

High Infection States

Rest of Country

Support OpposeNot sureJuly 13 June 1

Support Oppose Support Oppose

39 51 49 35

22 70 36 46

39 50 44 33

61 28 67 22

45 51 58 31

36 56 49 35

42 47 49 35

*”Parents” are those who self-report having a child/children under the age of 18. “High infection states” are those that fall under the NY travel restriction list, based on a “seven day rolling average of positive tests in excess of 10%, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 10,000 residents.” “Rest of country” are those that do not fall on this list. Nationwide surveys of registered voters; Each wave represents approximately 1,000 interviews taken over the prior three-five days. Latest wave conducted July 16-July 20, 2020. For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org


Which of the following THREE things concern you the most about the way Donald Trump has handled the coronavirus pandemic?

Americans are most concerned by Trump’s ignoring of medical experts, downplaying the threat, and failing to prepare for the pandemic.• Among 2016 Trump voters, a quarter (25%) are most concerned by his ignoring of experts.

Top Concerns on Trump Handling of Pandemic: Ignoring Experts, Downplaying Threat

47%

40

34

32

29

25

24

That he continues to ignore the advice of medical experts on how to deal with the pandemic

That he's always downplaying the threat, repeatedly promising coronavirus will just go away

That he failed to prepare for coronavirus, even after he was warned of the danger

That he's always modeling bad behavior, whether it's holding campaign rallies or not regularly wearing a mask

That his push to reopen too fast led to a resurgence of cases and prolonged the pandemic

That he's pushing to reopen schools without the proper safety precautions in place

None of these are concerning to me

Dem Ind Rep

65 49 24

55 48 21

50 36 15

40 40 19

37 33 18

28 34 18

3 14 53“2016 Trump voters” self-report having voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election.Nationwide survey of 1,015 registered voters; July 16-20, 2020.For more info, visit navigatorresearch.org


About the StudyGlobal Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,015 registered voters from July 16-20, 2020. The survey was conducted online, recruiting respondents from multiple opt-in online panel vendors. Respondents were verified against a voter file and special care was taken to ensure the demographic composition of our sample matched that of the national registered voter population across a variety of demographic variables.

About NavigatorIn a world where the news cycle is the length of a tweet, our leaders often lack the real-time public-sentiment analysis to shape the best approaches to talking about the issues that matter the most. Navigator is designed to act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates by conducting research and reliable guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press. Navigator is a project led by pollsters from Global Strategy Group and GBAO along with an advisory committee, including: Andrea Purse, progressive strategist; Arkadi Gerney, The Hub Project; Joel Payne, The Hub Project; Christina Reynolds, EMILY’s List; Delvone Michael, Working Families; Felicia Wong, Roosevelt Institute; Mike Podhorzer, AFL-CIO; Jesse Ferguson, progressive strategist; Navin Nayak, Center for American Progress Action Fund; Stephanie Valencia, EquisLabs; and Melanie Newman, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

For Press inquiries contact:

[email protected]

To learn more about Navigator:

http://navigatorresearch.org

@NavigatorSurvey on Twitter

mailto:[email protected]

http://navigatorresearch.org/

communicating in crisis · 2020-07-22 · donald trump already wears a mask as often as he should...

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