Biden is ahead of Trump by 2 points, says Fox News poll.

President Joe Biden has taken the lead over former President Donald Trump in a recent Fox News poll, marking the first time since October that he has surpassed his predecessor. The shift in numbers comes in the aftermath of Trump’s conviction on all counts in his Manhattan hush money trial.

According to the Fox News poll, 50% of voters surveyed would choose Biden in a hypothetical matchup with Trump, while 48% would support the former president. This two-percentage-point shift in Biden’s favor since the previous poll in May indicates a changing tide in public opinion.

Although the results are within the margin of error, this development is significant as it signifies the first time Biden has outpolled Trump in a Fox News survey since October 2023. It suggests that the repercussions of Trump’s trial have left a lasting impact on voters, just in time for the upcoming debate between the two men in Atlanta next week.

Following his recent trial in which he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, the first conviction of a US president on felony charges, Trump’s reputation appears to have taken a hit. This may have contributed to Biden’s newfound lead in the polls.

The upcoming debate in Atlanta, scheduled to be hosted by CNN, will provide a platform for both Biden and Trump to present their positions to the American public. While Biden has faced challenges, such as his son Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, he has also seen successes in his administration’s efforts to boost the economy.

Notably, about a third of respondents in the Fox News poll expressed positive views on the economy, marking the highest level of satisfaction during Biden’s presidency. This suggests that his economic policies are resonating with a significant portion of the electorate.

Independent voters, a crucial demographic in national elections, have also shown a shift in their preferences. In the recent poll, independent voters favored Biden by a margin of 9 percentage points, a notable change from May when they leaned towards Trump. This swing indicates a changing dynamic in the political landscape.

Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who collaborates with a Democratic colleague on the Fox News surveys, noted that Biden’s support has grown slightly among women and seniors, offsetting declines among younger voters and African Americans compared to the 2020 elections.

Furthermore, in a potential 5-way matchup that includes independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West, Biden continues to lead with 43% of respondents backing him compared to 42% for Trump. This suggests that Biden’s appeal extends beyond just a two-way race.

The Fox News poll, which surveyed 1,100 registered voters across the country, had a margin of error of 3%. While individual polls provide a snapshot of public opinion at a specific moment, they also offer insights into the evolving dynamics of US politics leading up to the next presidential election.