Biden’s Border Visit Doesn’t Seem to Help His Image
March 02, 2024Key Takeaways
- American voters had very difference perceptions of Trump’s border visit versus Biden’s.
- Most people commented on Biden’s frailty and questioned his ability and willingness to secure the border.
- Trump’s visit was largely seen as entertaining and hopeful for the prospect of getting a president in office who cares about border security.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
20,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
7 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
After both President Biden and former President Trump visited the Texas border, immigration talk online has surged to the top issue for both politicians. Reactions are scattered, mostly along party lines. But Biden’s approval on immigration continues to lag behind Trump’s.
- Border security was the most talked about issue for both men in the last 24 hours.
- Trumps approval on the border is 49% and Biden’s is 45%.
- Around 19,000 people were talking about the border online in the last 24 hours.
- Trump’s overall support remains slightly above Biden, although both received a slight bump after their border appearances.
Biden Perceived as “Shuffling” to the Border
A majority of people are expressing frustration and anger towards Biden's border policies. The comments about Biden's visit are also largely negative.
People are discussing the contrast of Biden at the border versus Trump at the border, saying Biden looked frail and fragile. There are some outcries by liberals who, instead of defending Biden’s mental and physical fitness, accuse Trump of being in worse condition.
There is also significant related discussion around Biden’s overall health and recent medical exam. Many voters are suggesting they don’t have confidence in Biden’s doctor’s assessment. They point out his appearance at the border did nothing to persuade them of Biden’s physical vigor.
Many people say they fear the potential impact of Biden’s frailty on his ability to handle complex and volatile international situations, including border security.
A lot of discussion also revolves around the murder of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old woman allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant. This incident appears to have triggered a wave of outrage, with many blaming Biden's immigration policies for such tragedies.
People across political aisles are starting to argue that the Biden administration's open border policy and the reversal of Trump's immigration policies have led to an increase in illegal immigration and associated crimes. Some accuse Biden of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens, suggesting they are more valuable due to their potential to vote for Democrats.
There is still a significant portion of Biden supporters who defend his approach to the border and his recent appearance. They argue that no president has managed to completely stop illegal immigration. They suggest that the current border crisis is also the fault of Republicans who failed to vote on a bipartisan border bill.
- Biden’s approval increased slightly with his border visit, reaching 46%.
- This is up from a meager 33% approval a week ago.
Trump Seen as Highly Entertaining at the Border
The overall discussion of Trump's border visit is positive. People praise his actions, voicing their desire for his return to office. Voters often feel that Trump was more proactive in dealing with border issues and that his approach was more effective.
Many people perceived Trump’s border visit as upbeat and entertaining – especially his jovial wave to Mexicans on the other side of the border fence. There were comments suggesting that one does not have to like Trump to be amused by his showmanship.
There is also significant support for Trump's approach to immigration policies. People are enthusiastic about his commitment to deporting illegal immigrants who break U.S. laws and his efforts to stop the flow of illegal crossings. Many voters say Trump's policies, like the "Remain in Mexico" policy, were effective in reducing illegal immigration and should be reinstated.
While much of the discussion about Trump’s border visit was positive, there are still many voices criticizing him. This group mocks his supporters and claim that Biden is doing a better job. They argue that the former president's health is a cause for concern and accuse him of leaning over during his visit. Mostly Democrats, these defenders favorably compare Biden to FDR, who was wheelchair-bound during his presidency. They dismiss concerns about Biden's health and criticize his detractors for focusing on his physical condition.
- Trump’s approval on border security increased with his visit, reaching 48%.
- This is up from a steady 45% for most of the week.