It is very easy to say “we need to get the economy going again!” if someone is 35 and healthy. It is far harder to hear such cries knowing that one is within the group put most at risk by such a decision. Perhaps Trump should have thought through such political (and personal) calculations before throwing his support behind the MAGA heads protesting the economic restrictions. Today’s Morning Consult Poll shows a dramatic turn in Trump’s support among seniors. According to Rawstory:

Morning Consult tracked surveys showing that people older than 65 strongly believe — by a 6-to-1 margin — that the government should focus more on addressing the spread of coronavirus than on restarting the economy.

As the president signals that he wants to reopen states before their governors and public health experts recommend as responsible, older Americans are losing their support for him.

I am not sure if Trump was the first choice among Americans 65 or older, but I do know that he isn’t the first choice among young Americans, so he best keep his eyes on the political consequences of putting money ahead of lives.

This is a reversal, as older Americans had approved of Trump’s handling of the COVID issue at much higher rates just weeks ago:

But Morning Consult found that approval had drained away by 20 points over the past month — and now their support is lower than any age group besides 18- to 29-year olds.

This election is going to be determined by how the public views Trump’s handling of the crisis. To lose 20 points in approval from the age group that most dependably votes is a massive drop in support.

Who knew that tossing caution into the wind and playing with lives might have such huge political costs? Perhaps one has to be a little older to appreciate the power of patience.