During a recent segment on Fox News, a contributor presented a distinctive perspective on the factors behind President Donald Trump's persistently low approval ratings, attributing them to Democratic shortcomings and the President's own record of achievement.
Fox News Segment Spurs Debate on Approval Ratings
The discussion unfolded on Friday's episode of "The Five" in a segment titled "Dems Scramble To Find Their Trump." Contributor Charlie Hurt initiated the conversation by highlighting the enormous unity around President Trump within the Republican Party and raising questions about future leadership after the midterm elections.
Fellow contributor Kaylee McGhee White then entered the debate, claiming that Trump maintains an 87% approval rating among Republicans, according to an unspecified poll. She suggested that Democratic focus on Trump's declining popularity is a form of "cope" stemming from their own lack of a clear vision or a next-generation leader to assume the mantle.
The 'Victim of His Own Success' Theory
White elaborated further, proposing a central reason for the narrative around Trump's "cratering" approval. "I think in some ways Trump is a victim of his own success," she argued, positing that voters now expect significant results from him because his past accomplishments prove he can deliver.
She listed several policy achievements from the past year, including the elimination of Iran's nuclear capacities, cracking down on the southern border, and keeping women's spaces for women. White asserted that on these key issues, Trump is not just above water with voters but is overwhelmingly supported by 80% to 90% of Americans.
Polling Data Reveals a Stark Partisan Divide
Recent polling data underscores the deep partisan chasm in perceptions of the President. An end-of-year Gallup poll published this week confirmed that 89% of Republicans approve of Trump's job performance, closely aligning with White's claim.
However, the same poll reveals a much grimmer overall picture. Trump's approval rating among all U.S. adults stands at just 36%. His lowest point was 34% in 2021, following the January 6 Capitol riots.
This political reality exists despite Trump's core campaign promise to fix the economy after a period of high inflation under his predecessor, Joe Biden. Inflation has persisted under Trump's administration, and his tariff policies have contributed to increased costs for many Americans, contradicting his claims of success.
The affordability issue has become a significant vulnerability. Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly warned the administration in November that they needed to "get something going" on this front or risk losses in the 2026 midterms. Trump responded days later by declaring himself "THE AFFORDABILITY PRESIDENT" on social media.
