President Donald Trump returned to the global stage on Tuesday at the United Nations, delivering a speech that mixed self-praise with sweeping claims. However, as he often does, Trump leaned heavily on his ability to shape perception, declaring that his approval ratings had reached “the highest” levels of his presidency. Yet, while Trump attempted to paint a picture of success, the actual data told a very different story.
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Trump’s Bold UN Speech
During his address, Trump highlighted several controversial talking points. For example, before even mentioning polls, he boasted that his administration had “ended” seven wars and “defeated” inflation. Moreover, he framed his immigration crackdown as an act of compassion rather than punishment.
“By them not coming, we’re saving tremendous numbers of lives,” he argued, referring to migrants discouraged from crossing into the U.S. He continued by insisting that “my people have done a fantastic job in doing what they did, and the American public agrees with it.” Finally, he concluded this segment by saying, “I was very proud to see this morning I have the highest poll numbers I’ve ever had.”
Fact-Checkers and Social Media Push Back
Almost immediately, critics online challenged Trump’s claim. In fact, the latest YouGov/Economist poll released earlier this month showed his approval rating at just 39%—an all-time low. Because of this, many users on X, formerly known as Twitter, mocked the statement as both exaggerated and misleading.
One critic posted: “Highest poll numbers? It must have been a private polling of sycophants and ass kissers because in the real world his poll numbers are far below sea level.” Another sarcastically asked: “He reading the charts upside down?” These reactions spread quickly, further reinforcing the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and reality.
Comparing the Real Poll Numbers
When Trump insisted that his poll numbers were at record highs, several reputable survey organizations had already published very different findings. For instance, Reuters/Ipsos reported his approval rating at 42%. In addition, Gallup placed him at 40%, while Quinnipiac found his approval at only 37%.
Taken together, these results clearly show that Trump’s approval is not climbing but rather hovering near the bottom of his presidential record. Consequently, his public claim was not supported by credible data. Furthermore, the fact that multiple independent pollsters reached similar conclusions makes it difficult for Trump’s defenders to argue otherwise.
Online Backlash Grows Stronger
Because Trump’s obsession with numbers is nothing new, the online backlash carried a familiar tone. For instance, one user wrote: “It must be nice to be this delusional all the time.” Additionally, another mocked him by saying: “So someone’s spoon-feeding him fake news in bite-sized pieces and dumb cartoons that totally distort reality, huh?”
Ever since his days hosting NBC’s The Apprentice, Trump has measured his self-worth through ratings and viewership. Although he once thrived on positive publicity, the polling data now undermines his narrative of popularity. As a result, critics increasingly question whether Trump is knowingly lying, being misled by his inner circle, or simply unable to process reality.
What This Means for Trump’s Image
Ultimately, Trump’s insistence on inflated poll numbers underscores a broader pattern in his political strategy. Because he often equates perception with truth, he repeats claims until they take root with his supporters. Nevertheless, polling from trusted organizations continues to contradict his narrative.
Therefore, while his loyal base may accept his claims without question, the general public and independent observers remain skeptical. Consequently, his credibility suffers each time such exaggerations are debunked in real time.
