Donald Trump's approval ratings take a battering €“ and even evangelicals are wobbling

Donald Trump's approval ratings took another battering this week as a Fox News poll showed the president's numbers are continuing to slide in the wake of intra-Republican warring and his handling of several natural disasters, in particular in Puerto Rico.

But even as Trump's approval ratings slide to 38 per cent, down from 42 per cent in September, evangelicals are holding firm in support of their president albeit with signs they are less enthusiastic.

Approval from white evangelicals and white men without a college degree – Trump's key support base – fell to 66 per cent and 56 per cent respectively. The marked drop from his election when Trump won 80 per cent and 71 per cent of their vote is a worrying sign for the White House.

But Johnnie Moore, a key evangelical ally to Trump and a spokesman for many on his nominal evangelical advisory council, came to his aide and praised him as 'competent', 'kind', 'credible' and having 'the best of intentions'.

Asked about Trump's critics in the Republican party including Senators Bob Corker, of Tennessee, and Arizona's Jeff Flake who publicly attacked the president this week, Moore said: 'These leaders are playing politics' as he insisted 'the country is in really good hands'.

Such an honor to pray within the Oval Office for @POTUS & @VP . pic.twitter.com/JrDOSJyFeN

— Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) July 12, 2017 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">

On evangelical influence in the White House, he told CBS: 'We have this open door.

'The media went wild and people flipped out when that picture of us praying with the president went viral on the internet. They would have freaked out even more if they knew this wasn't an irregular occasion. This is a normal thing.'

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.