Trump Rejects Approval Ratings as 'Fake,' Insists on Higher Support from Unseen Polls
During a gathering intended to pay tribute to families who have lost loved ones to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants—a group his administration labeled "Angel Families"—former President Donald Trump diverted attention to his long-debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories and expressed frustration over his perceived low approval ratings, which he dismissed as entirely fabricated.
"I saw one today that I’m at 40%," Trump stated, referring to recent polling data. "40%. I’m not at 40%, I’m much higher than that." He then launched into a broader critique of polling methodologies and media coverage, claiming that "real polls" would show him dominating any potential political opponent.
Claims of 'Silent Support' and Media Bias
Trump elaborated, saying, "I mean, I would love to run against anybody. The real polls say you kill everybody and wouldn’t be close, but you go through the fake polls, you go through the fake stories." He suggested that his current political standing is more formidable than it would have been if he had run in a previous election, contrasting it unfavorably with the Biden administration, which he described as "horrible."
At another point in the event, Trump expressed bewilderment at what he perceives as insufficient public backing, remarking, "It just amazes me that there is not more support out there." However, he quickly pivoted to assert the existence of a "silent support" base, implying that his true approval is underreported.
Public and Critic Reactions to Trump's Polling Claims
Current independent polls consistently place Trump's job approval rating around the 40% mark, a figure that has sparked widespread skepticism and mockery on social media. Critics have challenged Trump to produce evidence of the "real polls" he references, with many questioning their existence altogether.
Social media responses highlighted the controversy:
- One user noted, "I mean honestly seeing a poll with him at 40 does feel made up. Should be way lower."
- Another quipped, "The real polls? The ones he drew up on an erase board?"
- Others speculated that his actual approval might be even lower, with comments like "40%? I agree, it's a fake poll; it's closer to 30% now" and "Low to mid 30s seems more likely."
- Many demanded transparency, with posts such as "Show us one of those 'real' polls" and "What are 'the real polls'? His cabinet and family?"
This incident underscores ongoing tensions between Trump's self-perception and objective polling data, fueling debates about media credibility and political discourse in the United States.
