Trump says recent poll shows he’s more popular than Lincoln

President Trump boasted about a poll on Thursday that he claims shows he’s more popular than former President Lincoln.

“You know, a poll just came out that I am the most popular person in the history of the Republican Party,” Trump said in an interview with The Sun published on Thursday. 

“Beating Lincoln,” Trump said. “I beat our Honest Abe.” 

It is unclear what poll the president was referring to in the interview, as presidential approval polling did not exist during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. 

Trump earlier this week made a similar claim that appeared to refer to a Gallup poll indicating he is one of the most popular modern Republican presidents.

“New Poll says Trump, at over 90%, is the most popular Republican in history of the Party. Wow!” he tweeted.

Thank you to all of my great supporters, really big progress being made. Other countries wanting to fix crazy trade deals. Economy is ROARING. Supreme Court pick getting GREAT REVIEWS. New Poll says Trump, at over 90%, is the most popular Republican in history of the Party. Wow!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018

{mosads}According to a recent Gallup poll, 90 percent of Republicans approved of Trump in June. The New York Times noted that would make Trump more popular with his party at this point in his first term than any other modern president except former President George W. Bush shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.

However, a Pew Research Center poll this week found that among modern presidents, most people said former President Obama was the best or second-best president in their lifetime.

Trump gave the interview to the British newspaper ahead of his visit to the U.K.

{mosads}“But the people of the U.K., and I’ll bet if you had an honest poll, I’d be very strong. They want the same thing I want. I love the U.K.,” Trump told The Sun.

Trump made the remarks after saying earlier in the interview that he felt “unwelcome” in London due to protests. He said he is aware of a 20-foot-tall blimp designed to look like an infant Trump that protesters plan to fly during his visit to the United Kingdom this week. 

“I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London,” Trump said. “I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?”

-Updated 7:35 p.m.