The latest New York Times/Siena College poll has delivered a bombshell: Former President Donald Trump has taken an unprecedented 5-point lead over incumbent President Joe Biden among registered voters. 

Even more striking, Biden’s disapproval rating has soared to a whopping 59%. 

These numbers signal a remarkable shift in the political landscape months before the 2024 presidential election.

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• Trump takes unprecedented 5-point lead over Biden in latest NYT/Siena poll.

• Biden’s disapproval rating soars to 59% as he trails Trump nationally.

• Crucial ‘double hater’ voters who dislike both candidates holding decisive power.

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Biden’s Approval Plummets as Trump Surges in Latest Poll – What Does it Mean for 2024?

Trump’s Biggest Lead Yet

According to the poll, Trump commands 48% support among registered voters, while Biden trails at 43%. 

This 5-point advantage is the largest Trump has ever held over Biden in a Times/Siena poll since he first ran for President in 2015. 

It’s a stunning reversal of fortunes for the incumbent, who had positioned himself as the antidote to Trump’s divisive rhetoric and policies.

The Unpopularity Factor

So, what’s driving Biden’s steep decline in popularity? 

The poll points to a confluence of factors, including concerns over his age, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the situation at the southern border, and lingering economic troubles like inflation. 

But ultimately, it boils down to one simple fact – Biden is deeply unpopular, even more so than the equally polarizing Trump.

A Familiar Scenario

This scenario, in which voters agonize over two unpopular candidates, is precisely what Democrats sought to avoid when nominating the “electable” Biden in 2020. 

It’s also reminiscent of the 2016 election, where Trump’s unpopularity wasn’t enough to secure a Clinton victory. 

However, Democrats largely fielded more palatable candidates in the 2018 and 2022 midterms, helping them avoid a replay of 2016.

The Double Haters

A staggering 19% of registered voters in the Times/Siena poll view both Trump and Biden unfavorably – a cohort often referred to as “double haters.” 

While these voters backed Biden by a 3-to-1 margin in 2020, less than half currently support him. 

With both candidates struggling to inspire enthusiasm, these “double haters” could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the 2024 election.

Key Takeaways from the Poll

The Times/Siena poll offers several other eye-opening insights:

• Only 25% of voters think the country is headed in the right direction.

• More than twice as many voters believe Biden’s policies have personally hurt them as those who feel they’ve been helped.

• A majority of voters rate the economy as poor.

• 47% of voters strongly disapprove of Biden’s job performance, a high for his presidency.

• Democrats are split on whether Biden should be the 2024 nominee, with opposition highest among younger voters.

• Trump retains 97% of his 2020 voters, while Biden has lost 10% of his to Trump.

• Among likely voters, Trump leads by 4 points.

• Biden’s edge with working-class voters of color without college degrees has eroded significantly since 2020.

• Only 23% of Democratic primary voters are enthusiastic about Biden as the party’s leader, compared to 46% of Republicans feeling that way about Trump.

The Road Ahead

The stakes couldn’t be higher with eight months until the general election. 

While Biden still has time to regain his footing, Trump’s resurgence emphasizes the President’s difficult path in his bid for a second term. 

As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on the critical bloc of independent and “double hater” voters who could ultimately decide the fate of the nation’s leadership.