A CNN poll released today shows a significant upswing in approval for First Lady Melania Trump.
Here's CNN broke down Mrs. Trump's new numbers break down:
. . . 57% say they have a favorable impression of Trump, up from 47% in January. This is the biggest number Melania Trump has experienced in any CNN polling, and higher than any favorability rating earned by President Donald Trump in CNN polling history going back to 1999.
Twenty-seven percent of respondents have an unfavorable view of the first lady.
Notably, Trump has seen an increase in favorable feelings from Democrats, up 15 points since the January poll. She is up six points from Republicans. However, overall, Democrats still tilt negative for her, 38% favorable to 40% unfavorable.
The gender gap in impressions of the first lady has also narrowed, Trump’s numbers are up 7 percentage points among men, but have risen 13 percentage points among women. A majority of women, 54%, now have a positive view of Trump, 30% view her unfavorably.
CNN speculates that the rise in the First Lady's numbers "could likely be due to the sympathy factor," going on to note "numerous salacious stories regarding alleged infidelities in the couple’s marriage."
That this accounts for some of Mrs. Trump's recent upswing in approval is certainly a possibility. After all, Hillary Clinton's approval numbers bumped up during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
But what if there is another at least partial explanation that is less appealing to the press?
What if it's because Mrs. Trump is comporting herself with grace and dignity and doing a good job in the role of First Lady? She has taken incredible lumps from the press (remember High Heelgate?) and gone serenely on. Americans see her doing this and appreciate her
Mrs. Trump's approval rating lags behind that of other First Ladies (which doesn't surprise, given the bitter hatred for all things Trump in the media and the Resistance). Meanwhile, President Trump's poll numbers are also seeing some improvement.