Trump Calls for Poll Investigations, Rove Says It's Worse Than He Thinks
Donald Trump signs orders to green-light the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, 2017. Photo courtesy of Office of the President of the United States. Public domain.
When Donald Trump gets mad, he gets loud — and this time, his fury is aimed at America's top pollsters. As several recent polls show his approval ratings hit rock bottom, the U.S. president is demanding full-blown investigations into what he claims are fake polls designed to sabotage his presidency. But how bad are the numbers that sparked this latest firestorm — and is there any real chance these pollsters will be dragged into court?
Setting the Stage: What the Polls Actually Say
According to several recent surveys, Trump's approval numbers have tumbled to historic lows.
The New York Times/Siena College poll found only 42% of registered voters approve of his job performance, while 54% disapprove, as reported by the Daily Beast.
Things looked even worse in the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, where Trump's approval dropped to just 39% — the lowest any U.S. president has seen this early into a first term in the past 80 years, Newsweek reported.
CNN's poll painted a grim picture, with Trump stuck at 41%. Even Fox News, often seen as friendly ground for Trump, showed him hovering at 44% approval, according to MSNBC.
Trump's Allegations: Fraud and 'Fake News'
The president took to Truth Social, lashing out at pollsters. According to the Daily Beast, he said, "These people should be investigated for ELECTION FRAUD. THEY ARE SICK, almost only write negative stories about me no matter how well I am doing."
He pointed to polling breakdowns showing that only 34 to 37% of the poll's respondents had voted for him in 2024 — far below his actual share of the vote. Trump's camp argues this discrepancy is evidence of deliberate bias.
According to Newsweek, Trump also said, "Great pollster John McLaughlin, one of the most highly respected in the industry, has just stated that The Failing New York Times poll, and the ABC/Washington Post poll, about a person named DONALD J. TRUMP, ME, are FAKE POLLS FROM FAKE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. They suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome, and there is nothing that anyone, or anything, can do about it. THEY ARE SICK, almost only write negative stories about me no matter how well I am doing (99.9% at the Border, BEST NUMBER EVER!), AND ARE TRULY THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! I wish them well, but will continue to fight to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Karl Rove's Take: A Deeper Problem
While Trump blames "fake" polls, veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove sees a more sobering reality. Speaking on Fox News, Rove said Trump is "in very bad shape," especially on economic issues, according to Mediaite.
Rove pointed out that only 32% of Americans believe Trump's policies are helping the economy, while 54% say they're doing harm. On the question of long-term impact, 51% think Trump's policies will hurt the country in the years ahead.
"There's some very deep-seated skepticism among ordinary Americans about the effect of the economy, the president's economic policies, both in the short run and the long run," Rove warned, according to Mediaite, while also noting that Trump is losing ground even on issues like border security where he historically performed well.
Online Reactions: Cheers, Jeers, and Conspiracy Theories
Predictably, the online conversation exploded. As noted on MSNBC, Trump's public accusations against pollsters prompted a flood of commentary online, reflecting deep partisan divisions over the reliability of political polling. Supporters joined the President in describing the negative polls as deliberate misinformation against him.
Critics, however, mocked the idea of polling fraud, pointing out that public opinion surveys reflect sentiment at a moment in time — and Trump's latest moves on tariffs, birthright citizenship, and federal spending cuts have drawn sharp backlash across the political spectrum.
Will Investigations Really Happen?
Despite Trump's demands, there's little sign that an official investigation into polling companies is imminent. While Trump-appointed FCC commissioner Brendan Carr has launched probes into media organizations, including NPR and CBS, there's currently no public evidence that federal authorities are preparing cases specifically against pollsters, Forbes reported.
While none of the polls Trump criticized have been proven inaccurate, the idea of coordinated poll fraud remains unsubstantiated.
Why It Matters
Trump's war against polling data is more than a public relations battle; it's a signal about the increasingly tense relationship between the White House and American media institutions. With midterms on the horizon in 2026, both parties are bracing for a political climate where even basic measures of public sentiment are up for debate.
In the end, Trump's approval ratings could recover — or they could continue to slip. But either way, expect the battles over who gets to define "reality" to rage on.
References:Trump Demands Investigations Into Pollsters After Humiliating Results: 'THEY ARE SICK' | Donald Trump Demands Investigations Into Negative Approval Rating Polls | 'He Is in Very Bad Shape': Karl Rove Absolutely Dumps on Trump in Scathing Fox News Segment | As His Approval Rating Sinks, Trump Wants Investigations Into Pollsters | Trump's War With The Media: He Calls Unfavorable Polls 'Illegal' Amid Lawsuits And Threats To Defund Broadcasters
