The American polling institute Gallup has decided to cease its long-standing practice of measuring presidential popularity, a tradition dating back approximately 90 years. This decision comes in the context of persistent accusations from former President Donald Trump, who has long claimed that polling organizations produce 'rigged' numbers that unfairly portray him. Most recently, Trump suggested that these 'false and fraudulent' polls could even constitute a crime.

The cessation of Gallup's presidential popularity polls raises questions about the reliability and integrity of public opinion research, especially given Trump’s controversial stance toward polling. According to reports by The Hill, there are speculations regarding potential influence or pressure that may have come from the White House in light of Trump's ongoing rhetoric against pollsters. The historical significance of Gallup's function in American political discourse cannot be overlooked, making this shift noteworthy.

The implications of Gallup's decision could ripple through the political landscape as public perception and approval ratings play crucial roles in shaping governance and electoral strategies. Without Gallup's traditional metrics, political analysts and strategists will need to reconsider how they assess presidential popularity and public sentiment, potentially leading to the emergence of new polling methodologies or the rise of alternative sources for political insight.