Republican convention catapults Trump ahead of Clinton in new polls


The Republican National Convention might have had its share of chaos, ranging from a plagiarism scandal to all-out mutiny, but Donald Trump did something right according to the latest polls. In a four-way competition including Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, Trump leads the current race for the White House following a 6-point post-convention bump, putting him at 44 percent to Hillary Clinton's 39 percent.
The CNN/ORC poll found that Trump's surge comes mainly from independents that were convinced by his convention in Cleveland — 43 percent reported being swayed by what they saw, while 41 percent said they were dissuaded. Overall, what voters heard and saw boosted Trump's favorability. CNN writes, "There hasn't been a significant post-convention bounce in CNN's polling since 2000. That year Al Gore and George W. Bush both boosted their numbers by an identical 8 points post-convention before ultimately battling all the way to the Supreme Court."
Two other polls published Monday will also raise concerns for the Clinton camp: Morning Consult shows Trump has pulled 4 points ahead of Clinton. CBS News shows Clinton and Trump in a dead heat, 42 percent to 42 percent after both the Republican convention and Clinton's announcement of Sen. Tim Kaine as her running mate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The CNN/ORC poll reached 882 registered voters by telephone between July 22 and 24 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Trump judge bars deportations under 1798 law
speed read A Trump appointee has ruled that the president's use of a wartime act for deportations is illegal
-
Trump ousts Waltz as NSA, taps him for UN role
speed read President Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz as national security adviser and nominated him as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
-
Trump blames Biden for tariffs-linked contraction
speed read The US economy shrank 0.3% in the first three months of 2025, the Commerce Department reported
-
Trump says he could bring back Ábgego García but won't
Speed Read At a rally to mark his 100th day in office, the president doubled down on his unpopular immigration and economic policies
-
Canada's Liberals, Carney win national election
Speed Read The party of Prime Minister Mark Carney beat Conservative Pierre Poilievre thanks in part to Trump's trade war
-
Trump's 100-day approval ratings at historic low
Speed Read Americans appear to be wary of Trump's sweeping tariffs and handling of the economy
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
-
Hegseth's chief of staff joins Pentagon exodus
Speed Read Joe Kasper has stepped down, leaving the Defense Secretary 'increasingly isolated'