A new Emerson College poll shows former President Trump leading President Joe Biden by three points in a hypothetical rematch in 2024, Fox News reports.
The poll, released Tuesday, shows Trump ahead of Biden with a 44% to 41% lead in the matchup.
The poll also gives Trump good news ahead of the highly-anticipated – although also theoretical – GOP primary fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump leads DeSantis in a commanding fashion; the former president holds an advantage of 55% to 29% among Republicans polled.
The pair, both beloved by conservatives nationwide, have remained largely friendly since Trump exploded onto the political scene. However, things started to change in November, when Trump hit DeSantis, referring to him as “Ron DeSanctimonious” at a rally in Pennsylvania.
SHOTS FIRED: At tonight's rally Trump referred to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as "Ron DeSanctimonious" revealing growing tension between the two.
Rumor has it Ron DeSantis wants to run in 2024. If he does so, expect Trump to shut him down easily. pic.twitter.com/acPG50QcoK
— Patrick Casey (@restoreorderusa) November 6, 2022
Former Vice President Mike Pence holds 6% of support, while former Republican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley polled at 3%.
Interestingly, according to Emerson College Polling executive director Spencer Kimball, Trump dominated the share of Republican voters under 35, garnering 73% support to DeSantis’ 13%.
“There is an age and educational divide within the Republican primary. Young Republican voters under 35 break for Trump over DeSantis, 73% to 13%, whereas college-educated voters break for DeSantis over Trump 40% to 33%,” said Kimball.
Among likely voters polled, 43% ranked the economy as their top issue, while healthcare (13%), threats to democracy (10%), and crime (7%) lagged behind.
The poll also gives a glimpse into a potential Biden-DeSantis matchup, should things swing towards the Republican governor as the GOP primary unfolds.
Biden leads DeSantis by less than a point according to the data, which represents a three-point shift in DeSantis’ direction since Emerson College’s November edition of the poll.
Biden currently holds a 44% approval rating, while 48% disapprove of his job performance in the Oval Office.
