In the early hours of Friday, President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on The Washington Post and The New York Times.
He accused these media outlets of being "corrupt as hell" and manipulating their polls against him. Trump's comments were made on his Truth Social page, where he expressed his frustration with the two newspapers, which he claims have been his adversaries for years.
According to Trump, "The Failing New York Times and The Washington Post, two 'papers' that have ruthlessly fought me for years, have each done Polls where a vast majority of those sampled are Democrats."
He further alleged that these polls, like their articles, are rigged, making it impossible for a Republican to fare well. "They are 'corrupt as hell,'" he added. However, Trump did not clarify which specific polls conducted by these newspapers had provoked his ire.
Trump went on to assert that "real Polls" indicate he's performing "better than ever before." A recent poll by Rasmussen Reports, for instance, revealed a 53% approval rating for the President, with 37% of respondents expressing strong approval of his performance. Conversely, 46% disapproved, including 37% who strongly disapproved.
A Zogby Strategies poll painted a slightly different picture, showing Trump's approval rating at 48% and disapproval rating at 49%, figures that align with the organization's April poll. Among Republicans, Trump's support remained robust, with 88% approval versus 11% disapproval. His approval rating among men stood at 55%, with 43% disapproving. Among Hispanics, 53% approved while 41% disapproved.
As reported by Newsmax, a RealClearPolitics average of national polling on Friday showed 49.8% disapproval of Trump's performance and 47.4% approval. Trump, however, dismissed these figures, comparing them to the 2024 election results, which he claimed were distorted by The Post and The Times. "JUST LIKE ELECTION DAY, 2024, where I WON seven out of seven Swing States, the Popular Vote, and Districts by 2,750 to 505," Trump declared. "I won the Election in a landslide! The Fake News Media is Failing Our Nation at levels never seen before."
Trump's allegations of media corruption and poll rigging echo his long-standing criticism of mainstream media outlets. His claims of victory in the 2024 election, despite official results indicating otherwise, continue to fuel controversy and debate. His strong approval ratings among Republicans, as shown in the polls, underscore his enduring influence within the party, even as his overall approval ratings remain mixed.
While Trump's comments reflect his ongoing battle with major media outlets, they also highlight the deep divisions within American society. These divisions, reflected in the polarized approval ratings, underscore the challenges facing the nation as it grapples with issues of media credibility, political partisanship, and the role of the presidency. As the country moves forward, these issues will continue to shape the political landscape and influence public opinion.
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