Trump told aides to deny internal polling showed him trailing Biden | TheHill - The Hill

President TrumpDonald John Trump Top Armed Services Republican plots push for 0B defense budget Amash exits House Freedom Caucus in wake of Trump impeachment stance Amash exits House Freedom Caucus in wake of Trump impeachment stance MORE told aides to deny that his internal polling showed him trailing former Vice President Joe BidenJoe Biden Iowa Poll: Most likely caucus goers wish several or most candidates would drop out Iowa Poll: Most likely caucus goers wish several or most candidates would drop out Meghan McCain: 'I feel slighted as a conservative' by Biden flip-flop on Hyde Amendment MORE in key states, according to a new report from The New York Times.

Later, when the polling in 17 states conducted by Tony Fabrizio leaked, Trump told aides to tell reporters that other data showed him doing better, according to the Times story written by Annie Karni and Maggie HabermanMaggie Lindsy Haberman Hannity accused of hypocrisy on 'lock her up' Hannity accused of hypocrisy on 'lock her up' Our sad reality: Donald Trump is no Eisenhower MORE.

The polling reportedly showed Trump behind Biden in a number of the states he needs to take to win reelection, though the Times report did not identify them.

Beyond Trump's internal polling, a series of recent surveys have shown the president trailing Biden in several important states.

Last week, a Quinnipiac University poll found Biden 4 points ahead of Trump in Texas, a state Democrats haven't won in the presidential election since 1976.

A different poll released last week found Trump trailing Biden and several other 2020 Democrats in Michigan, a state he narrowly won in 2016.

Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Michigan and Pennsylvania since 1988. He also won Wisconsin, the first time a Republican had taken that state since 1984.

If Trump were to lose those three states in 2020 and the Democratic nominee held the other states carried by Democrat Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Gun seller that stocked up anticipating 2016 Clinton victory files Chapter 11: report Gun seller that stocked up anticipating 2016 Clinton victory files Chapter 11: report Biden camp blasts 'baseless lies' about his health MORE in 2016, Trump would lose the Electoral College.

Trump has been focused on Biden, who has been the front-runner in the Democratic campaign so far. He and Biden will both be campaigning on Tuesday in Iowa, which will host the first caucuses early next year.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

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