NBC news anchors Steve Kornacki and Kristen Welker reacted with surprise to a new poll showing President Biden far trailing former President Trump on key issues and attributes in a hypothetical 2024 matchup.
The poll found Trump favored over Biden on handling the economy and inflation by 22 points, as well as on mental and physical competence by 25 points.
“We talk about the erosion for Biden, and now you start to see it. Look at these numbers,” Kornacki said.
Respondents also saw Trump as more competent, effective in a crisis, and having a better record as president.
Kornacki noted these were issues where Biden previously led Trump in 2020.
“And again, same with handling a crisis. Biden had the edge over Trump. And how about this? It’s the former president, the current president. We don’t really see matchups like this. Well, now we can measure it,” Kornacki said.
“And again, Trump outpacing Biden on that front. And again, you’ve got to mention this one too. Necessary mental and physical health. We asked this four years ago. It was a wash. It’s now a clear liability for Joe Biden,” Kornacki said. “So these are all troubling numbers for Biden.”
“Biden stopped at a gas station this week to order food in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon entering, few flocked to interact with him. Most patrons stood by, did not hold out their hands, and watched the president walk past,” the report stated.
“Biden tried to speak with a girl when he entered the station, but after receiving little interaction, he slowly marched on while cameras followed and onlookers pressed themselves up against the wall. Biden posed for a few photos before he walked to the door,” it added.
Other coverage showed Biden receiving little enthusiasm during a public appearance in Pittsburgh, in contrast to Trump receiving chants of support during a visit to a bodega in Harlem.
Commentators argued the poll and reactions reflect deep public dissatisfaction with Biden’s presidency that could threaten his chances for reelection.
“This is all politics. This is coming out of the White House. And you know, it makes me campaign locally, and that’s okay,” Trump said.
“Biden stopped by a Sheetz gas station today because he wanted to try to replicate Trump’s Harlem bodega, where clerk Jose Alba defended himself while a violent customer attacked him in July 2022. It didn’t work,” Trump supporter Alex Bruesewitz wrote. “No one cheered. No one was excited to see him. Americans absolutely despise this crooked old fool.”
“People have had a chance to see Joe Biden be the president for three years now, and we’ve talked almost every day about his job approval ratings, which are very, very low,” the Washington Examiner’s Byron York said. “As a matter of fact, if they’re this low, you just can’t win reelection.”
