The latest polling from The Wall Street Journal shows President Joe Biden four points behind former President Donald Trump in a hypothetical rematch set for 2024, signaling a dip in the incumbent’s popularity as the race heats up.
Biden, who is aiming for a second term, recorded 43% support compared with 47% for Trump in the head-to-head scenario. When a third-party candidate is added to the mix, Trump’s lead grows, with Biden trailing by a wider margin and the former president maintaining a solid advantage in the field.
In a separate three-way configuration, Biden’s backing stands at 31% while Trump holds a 37% share, with the remainder split among third-party contenders.
Overall, Biden’s current support sits at about 37%, and a notable 61% of respondents view his performance negatively, according to the survey findings.
The Wall Street Journal published the poll this past weekend, surveying 1,500 registered voters between November 29 and December 4, yielding a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Trump, who appears clearly ahead in Republican primary polling, drew headlines this week by asserting that he would not be a dictator unless it was “the first day” of a potential second term in 2024.
The former president (in office from 2017 to 2021) faces four charges. Two of these relate to claims supporting election fraud in 2020, a narrative he repeatedly backed despite losing the national race to Biden.
He is accused of attempting to influence election outcomes in Georgia and of actions aimed at overturning results in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Additionally, Florida has faced scrutiny over handling classified documents after leaving the White House and for alleged payments to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign season.