Trump takes lead over Harris in new WSJ poll

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has gained a slight lead over Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the latest Wall Street Journal poll, with Trump at 47% and Harris at 45% among registered voters. This represents a shift from the August survey, where Harris had a 2-point lead. Both results fall within the poll’s margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, indicating that the race remains competitive.

Why it matters?

This poll indicates a change in voter sentiment, showing more favorable views of Trump’s past performance and agenda, while Harris’s approval ratings have declined.

Trump currently holds a 4-point positive rating for his presidency, with 52% of respondents approving of his time in office. In contrast, Harris faces a 12-point negative rating, as 54% disapprove of her performance as vice president.

Big picture

Both campaigns have increased their advertising spending to influence public perception. Trump and his allies have invested over $378 million in ads that depict Harris as too liberal for the country. Meanwhile, Harris has outspent Trump, allocating $625 million to enhance her image and present her policies to voters.

By the numbers

• Trump’s economic plan has a 10-point net positive view among voters, while Harris’s plan has a 4-point negative view.
• Since August, voter sentiment toward Harris has worsened, with 53% now holding unfavorable views compared to 45% who view her favorably.

What’s next on Trump-Harris race?

With only a few weeks remaining until Election Day, both campaigns are intensifying efforts to reach undecided voters, as negative ads and policy debates continue to shape the race.