In a flurry of late-night Truth Social posts, President Donald Trump launched a fresh offensive against the media, current polling data, and his predecessor Joe Biden, doubling down on claims that the U.S. economy is surging under his renewed leadership—even as major polls suggest otherwise.
With just over three months into his second non-consecutive term, Trump finds himself in familiar territory: pushing back against growing criticism, denying unfavorable data, and asserting dominance over economic narratives that show cracks beneath the surface.
“The USA lost Billions of Dollars A DAY in International Trade under Sleepy Joe Biden,” Trump posted just before midnight. “I have now stemmed that tide, and will be making a fortune, very soon.”
Moments later, he targeted polling institutions and media outlets directly:
“The Polls from the Fake News are, like the News itself, FAKE! We are doing GREAT, better than ever before.”
The Polling Problem
Despite Trump’s confident declarations, numbers released this week paint a more sobering picture for his administration.
A new Fox News poll, historically friendly to the Republican base, places his approval rating at 44%, with notable dips among suburban voters and independents. Rasmussen Reports, another pollster previously aligned with Trumpian optimism, shows a 5-point drop in his favorability over the past two weeks.
Independent analysts say the drop correlates with intensifying trade disputes and mounting concern over tariffs reintroduced in recent executive actions, particularly those targeting China, Mexico, and the European Union.
“While Trump touts bold economic leadership, voters are increasingly nervous about trade isolationism, supply chain impacts, and inflation,” said political economist Sara Lenner at Brookings.
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Trump’s Economic Spin
In an attempt to reframe the conversation, Trump linked to a series of articles supporting his economic claims, including a Fox Business report citing $5 trillion in new investment projects and over 450,000 jobs created under his current term. He also shared an op-ed arguing that early-term polling is “notoriously inaccurate” and should not be used to forecast long-term political success.
However, economists caution that many of these job gains were part of long-term recovery trends set in motion before January 2025 and that Trump’s protectionist trade moves may offset those gains later in the year.
“He’s leveraging lagging indicators as proof of immediate success,” said Lenner. “The numbers don’t lie, but they don’t tell the full truth either.”
The Blame Game Returns
Trump’s blame of Biden for “billions lost daily” in international trade echoes rhetoric from both his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. However, experts say his claims about Biden’s trade policy are exaggerated.
During Biden’s term, U.S. trade deficits fluctuated due to a mix of global inflation, pandemic-related supply disruptions, and shifting energy dynamics. While not without criticism, Biden-era policies emphasized trade diversification and digital services exports—areas Trump has largely sidelined in favor of manufacturing and raw goods.
“He’s not offering new economic models,” said trade expert Carlos Nunez. “He’s resurrecting an old narrative that doesn’t quite match today’s global economy.”
A Campaign in Disguise?
Although the next presidential election is still years away, Trump’s latest messaging feels distinctly campaign-like. His aggressive focus on media discreditation, inflated self-praise, and appeals to economic nationalism are hallmarks of his political strategy—raising questions about whether his administration is already pivoting to re-election mode.
Political observers suggest the tone is less about leadership and more about momentum.
“He governs like he’s campaigning—always in battle mode, always building an enemy, even if it’s data,” said strategist Lena Grover.
At a Glance: Key Points from Trump’s Truth Social Storm
- Poll Denial: Trump says declining approval ratings are “fake news” despite drop in Fox and Rasmussen polls.
- Trade Blame: Accuses Biden of costing the U.S. “billions a day” in trade before his 2025 return.
- Economic Bragging: Cites $5 trillion in investments and 450,000 new jobs—figures experts say require context.
- Pre-Campaign Posture: Tone and tactics resemble re-election messaging rather than policy leadership.
