Ten months into his presidency, Donald Trump is facing one of the toughest moments of his political career. New polling data released Tuesday by several major agencies show his approval rating sinking to 34 percent, with 61 percent of Americans disapproving of his performance. It’s a staggering drop that places him among the most unpopular presidents at this stage of a first term.
The numbers point to a deeply divided nation and, by several accounts, have triggered anger inside the White House.
Within hours of the results being published, Trump took to social media with a furious response. “The polls are a joke,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Fake numbers from fake pollsters. The REAL numbers are incredible, and the people know it!” Minutes later, he doubled down: “FAKE POLLS! Just more made-up numbers from people who hate America. We’re WINNING — big time.”
It was a familiar Trump tactic — deflect, deny, and use bad news as fuel. He’s done it since his 2016 campaign, but this time, the data is worse than anything his team has seen before.
A Presidency Under Fire
According to Gallup and several independent surveys, Trump’s approval rating now trails nearly every modern president at this point in their tenure. Even George W. Bush during the Iraq War and Barack Obama amid the post-recession slump had higher numbers. Only Jimmy Carter, at his lowest point, faced similar disapproval.
The numbers among independent voters are especially grim. His approval among that key group has fallen below 30 percent, with almost two-thirds saying they “strongly disapprove.” That kind of collapse poses a serious threat to any path toward re-election, especially in swing states.
“He’s losing the middle,” said political analyst Dr. Ian Roberts. “Modern elections are decided by independents. These numbers are catastrophic for any incumbent.”
Tension Inside the West Wing
Sources inside the White House describe the mood after the poll release as “explosive.” One senior aide said Trump was “furious and volatile,” pacing between meetings and demanding to know who had “leaked” the numbers before his team could prepare a response.
“He was livid,” the aide said. “He kept saying, ‘This is rigged — totally rigged.’ He doesn’t see it as data; he sees it as betrayal.”
Staff members say Trump quickly ordered his communications team to counter the narrative, emphasizing “fake news bias” and citing smaller, conservative-leaning polls showing better figures. “He refuses to accept negative data,” said another insider. “To him, every bad poll is part of a conspiracy.”
Growing Public Fatigue
The timing couldn’t be worse. His administration is already under pressure from rising inflation, foreign policy strain, and criticism over domestic unrest. His increasingly confrontational press briefings — including one described as “chaotic” just last week — have only deepened public fatigue.
“People aren’t just tired of policies,” said strategist Laura Jennings. “They’re tired of the constant tension. There’s a sense of exhaustion.”
A separate poll revealed that 72 percent of Americans believe Trump has made the country “more divided,” while 64 percent say they “do not trust him to tell the truth.” Nearly half “strongly disapprove” of his presidency — numbers that have been steadily climbing.
“These aren’t just low numbers,” said a CNN pollster. “They represent eroding trust. Once trust is lost, it’s almost impossible to regain.”
Doubling Down on Defiance
Publicly, Trump remains defiant. Rather than adjusting his message, he’s turning inward — energizing his loyal base. “The Silent Majority is bigger than ever,” he wrote on X. “Watch what happens next.”
His supporters quickly rallied behind him, repeating claims of “fake polls” and “media manipulation.” Dr. Roberts said this strategy plays to Trump’s strength: “He doesn’t absorb bad news — he turns it into a fight. His followers see defiance as proof of strength.”
But not everyone inside his circle is convinced that energy alone will be enough. “The base is solid but small,” a Republican strategist admitted. “He needs suburban and independent voters back — and right now, they’re slipping away.”
Advisers have suggested that Trump shift his tone toward stability and leadership, pointing to his policy achievements on tax reform and border control. Yet those close to him say he resists softening his approach. “He equates aggression with dominance,” one aide said. “Backing down isn’t in his vocabulary.”
The Battle for Perception
Conservative media outlets have rushed to defend him, arguing that national polls don’t determine elections and recalling that 2016 polls also underestimated his support. “Polls don’t vote — people do,” one commentator said.
Critics, however, note that the political landscape has changed. “He’s no longer an unknown,” Jennings pointed out. “Voters have lived through his presidency. The novelty is gone, and fatigue has set in.”
Even within Republican ranks, quiet concern is growing. One senior campaign official admitted that “the path to victory is narrowing.” Another added, “There’s still denial in some quarters, but these numbers are serious.”
What Comes Next
Whether Trump can recover remains uncertain. Historically, no modern president has reversed public opinion from such a low point without a major national event — a war, an economic boom, or a unifying crisis.
Trump’s current strategy is clear: fight harder, speak louder, and keep his base loyal. He’s already announced plans for a massive rally next week focused on “fake polls, media corruption, and the strength of the movement.”
“When he feels cornered, he attacks,” said a longtime associate. “That’s his instinct — and it’s what’s carried him this far.”
Still, analysts warn that the same instincts that once fueled his rise may now be working against him. “He’s spinning the numbers,” said a Reuters analyst, “but the data speaks louder than his posts.”
The Bottom Line
Trump’s political brand has always been built on defiance — rejecting elites, dismissing critics, and claiming to represent the “real America.” But as his approval ratings fall and public trust wanes, even his closest allies understand the growing danger: at some point, perception becomes reality.
He can call the polls fake. He can tweet, rally, and shout. But numbers have a quiet power — they reflect what people truly feel.
And right now, that quiet truth is impossible to ignore.