Facing Brutal New Poll Numbers, Trump Claims They’re “Fake” and Points to Dubious Evidence
President Donald Trump has offered a new explanation for his falling approval ratings, suggesting that he benefits from what he called “silent” support.
Several recent polls show Trump’s approval slipping as more Americans question his leadership and policy priorities. Speaking Monday at a White House event honoring families of victims killed by undocumented immigrants, Trump dismissed the surveys as inaccurate and implied the results were manipulated.
“It just amazes me that there’s not more support out there,” he said. “We actually have silent support. I think it’s silent. I think that’s how I won.”
During the event, Trump also defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border adviser Tom Homan, praising their performance amid criticism of immigration enforcement tactics. Noem has faced scrutiny in recent months over aggressive ICE operations and reports about her management style.
The president’s remarks came during a wide-ranging appearance in which he reflected on his political career, repeated claims about past elections, and briefly paused to greet an audience member, noting he had once helped her pay for eye treatment.
Trump also reiterated his claim that he had overseen one of the strongest economies in history, a theme he is expected to emphasize in his upcoming State of the Union address.
However, new polling paints a different picture. A Washington Post–ABC/Ipsos survey released Monday found that 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, with nearly half saying they strongly disapprove. A separate CNN poll reported that only about one-third of respondents believe Trump has focused on the country’s most pressing issues.
Support among independent voters has also declined, raising concerns for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. Surveys suggest his approval among younger voters has softened compared with previous cycles.
Trump argued that media coverage contributes to public dissatisfaction, saying news outlets fail to adequately highlight his accomplishments or the stories of families affected by immigration-related crimes. “This should be important for everybody, including the media,” he said. “But they don’t cover it fairly.”
