‘So Striking!’ NBC’s Welker Flummoxed By New Poll Showing Trump Whomping Biden On Economy

NBC’s Kristen Welker was dismayed Sunday to learn that voters aren’t giving President Joe Biden “credit” for the economy — at least not in a positive way — after Donald Trump trounced Biden in the latest NBC News poll.

The new poll, which Welker introduced as “stunning” on the latest Meet the Press, has Trump ahead of Biden on key issues, as well as leading Biden overall by five points, up from a two-point lead in November.

Kornacki pointed out that it’s Trump’s biggest lead over Biden since they began conducting this match-up poll in 2019.

Additionally, he noted that Biden’s approval numbers are well below what other presidents seeking second terms were polling at around this time of their own reelection campaigns.

“We asked voters, what do you think of the job he’s doing? And look at that, Kristen, 37% approve and now 60% disapprove,” he said.

“Starting their reelection year, what was their approval rating? Bush was over 50. He won. Obama was almost at 50. He won. Trump four years ago with 46: He lost.” said Kornacki. “Look how low Biden’s number is compared to those predecessors at this point.”

“Their numbers all much bigger than President Biden’s,” Welker said.

On the subject of the economy, Welker was particularly taken aback.

“The issues that are driving this, too,” said Kornacki. “The economy, no surprise we’ve been talking about it. But look at that advantage for Trump, 22 points.”

“The economy is so striking, Steve, because jobs are up. Inflation is down. Voters aren’t giving him credit for that clearly,” Welker replied.

Media frequently frame the issue as voters not giving Biden credit for the economy, which they continue to say is great as often as they can. However, considering that many working Americans are still experiencing high prices, less purchasing power, and other kitchen table hardships, perhaps they are in fact giving Biden credit for their situation when giving him low marks.

WELKER: Steve, these are some truly stunning numbers.

KORNACKI: They really are, Christine. And let’s just start with the bottom line. When you ask folks, hey, if it’s the general election and it’s Trump versus Biden, in our poll, Donald Trump now leads Joe Biden by five points. Compare that to the last time we pulled back in November. Trump was ahead then, but it was only by two points.

It’s even more significant when you look at it this way. Over time, we have been testing for five years now, going back to 2019. A Biden-Trump match-up. Remember 2019, 2020 Joe Biden led. He led big in every single one of our polls.

For the first time in November, Donald Trump pulled ahead in our poll. And now, at five points, this is the biggest lead NBC has ever had in 16 polls for Donald Trump over Joe Biden. And of course, undergirding all of this is this question of – he is the incumbent, Joe Biden. We asked voters, what do you think of the job he’s doing? And look at that, Kristen, 37% approve and now 60% disapprove.

WELKER: And we should say that is the lowest approval rating since former President George W. Bush’s second term. Yeah.

KORNACKI: And it’s – put that in further context to Bush in his second term wasn’t running for reelection. Here’s the presidents who were running for reelection in our poll. Starting their reelection year, what was their approval rating? Bush was over 50. He won. Obama was almost at 50. He won. Trump four years ago with 46. He lost. Look how low Biden’s number is compared to those predecessors at this point.

WELKER: Their numbers all much bigger than President Biden’s are.

KORNACKI: It shows you the improvement Biden has to make here in the coming months. The issues that are driving this, too: the economy, no surprise we’ve been talking about it. But look at that advantage for Trump, 22 points. And securing the border here, folks. A very important Trump with a 35-point advantage.

WELKER: The economy is so striking, Steve, because jobs are up. Inflation is down. Voters aren’t giving him credit for that, clearly.

KORNACKI: Yeah. There are a couple areas in here, I think, where Democrats see potential opportunities to grow Biden’s support. Certainly they are hoping the economy, folks change their perceptions of it and start rewarding Biden for it. That’s what they’re hoping, certainly.

Watch the clip above, via NBC News.