Trump's approval rating drops as US breaks daily Covid-19 case record – live

77,255 new cases reported in US yesterday, data showsPoll finds 38% of Americans approve of president’s handling of pandemicTeachers’ chief denounces Trump plan to reopen schoolsMillions fret as Republicans threaten to halt $600 weekly lifesaverSign up to our First Thing newsletter 2.42pm BST The Cook Political Report has shifted the ratings of 20 House races in Democrats’ favor, as a series of national polls released this week showed Trump trailing Joe Biden by double digits.(Here’s a graphic corrected for #WA03) pic.twitter.com/58FyEjkERG President Trump’s abysmal polling since the pandemic began is seriously jeopardizing down-ballot GOP fortunes. We may be approaching the point at which dozens of House Republicans will need to decide whether to cut the president loose and run on a ‘check and balance’ message, offering voters insurance against congressional Democrats moving too far left under a potential Biden administration. ...Republicans began the cycle hoping to pick up 18 seats to win the majority back. Now they’re just trying to avoid a repeat of 2008, when they not only lost the presidency but got swamped by Democrats’ money and lost even more House seats after losing 30 seats and control two years earlier. For the first time this cycle, Democrats have at least as good a chance at gaining House seats as Republicans on a net basis. 2.27pm BST Good morning, live blog readers. This is Joan Greve in Washington.Coronavirus cases in the US continue to break records, and a new poll out this morning indicates Donald Trump is losing support as a result of the alarming trend.The US sets another grim record in its coronavirus caseload: 77,255 new cases reported yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VPdcMsAD70 Related: Trump's campaign reshuffle shows he's figured out he's losing Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jul/17/us-coronavirus-covid-cases-death-toll-record-trump-poll-latest-updates #us_politics #coronavirus_outbreak #donald_trump #republicans #democrats #us_elections_2020 #us_news