The presidential race is now in a dead heat, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. President Biden’s slight lead over former President Trump has vanished, with both candidates tied at 46% support. The two remain tied at 37% with the inclusion of independent presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (16%) and Dr. Cornel West (3%) and the Green Party’s Jill Stein (3%).
Trump’s trial, related to the 34 counts of falsifying business records he’s charged with, began last week with jury selection and moved into opening arguments this week. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The poll also found that Biden’s approval rating has dropped to 35%, while 61% of respondents disapprove of his job performance. This marks a significant decline from March, when Biden’s approval rating was 37% and his disapproval rating was 59%.
Regarding the charges Trump faces in his ongoing New York trial, a plurality of 46% said they believe the former president did something illegal, while 45% said he didn’t. However, 27% believe he did something unethical but not illegal, and 18% believe he did nothing wrong.
If Trump were to be convicted on the charges, 21% said they would be less likely to vote for him, 62% said it would not affect their vote and 15% said they would be more likely to vote for him.
Trump has argued the trial is pure politics, a “political persecution,” and he maintains his innocence. The former president, the first ever to be a defendant in a criminal trial, vowed to “tell the truth” if he takes the stand.
He has also argued the trial is unfairly keeping him from the campaign trail, giving Biden an advantage.
