Donald Trump has a new explanation for his sliding approval numbers: the polls are “fake” and cited “silent support” as evidence.
With fresh surveys showing his support eroding, Trump lashed out Monday, repeatedly dismissing the data and insisting the numbers are fake and don’t reflect reality. Speaking at a White House event honoring families killed by undocumented immigrants, the president claimed his low ratings must be fabricated and pointed to what he described as hidden enthusiasm.
“It just amazes me that there’s not more support out there,” Trump said.
“We actually have silent support. I think it’s silent. I think that’s how I won.”
Trump referenced the unfavorable polling several times during his remarks, brushing it off as inaccurate and unfair. The argument was simple: if the numbers look bad, they must not be real.
The actual data tells a different story. As the presidnet gears up to address the nation Tuesday night, the mood of the country is anything but upbeat. Majorities of Americans disapprove of how he’s handled his top priorities, and say he’s pushed well past the limits of presidential authority.
A new Washington Post–ABC/Ipsos poll released Monday shows 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, with 47 percent strongly disapproving — his highest disapproval level in years. A separate CNN poll found that just 32 percent believe Trump has had the right priorities, while 68 percent say he has not focused enough on the country’s most pressing problems.
Among independent voters, his approval has fallen to roughly 26 percent, a record low. Support among young voters has also declined.
Rather than engage with those numbers, Trump turned his fire on the press.
“This should be important for everybody, including the media, but they don’t cover it fairly, I tell you that. It’s shocking,” he said, referring to coverage of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. “These are sick people that don’t cover stories like that—or don’t cover them, which is even worse.”
The event itself drifted into unusual territory. At one point, Trump mused about his mortality. Later, he abruptly paused to greet a woman in the audience who had experienced eye problems.
“I gave her money to fix her eyes,” he said. “The doctor ripped me off, but that’s ok.”
He also reiterated his claim that he built the “greatest economy in the world,” a line he is expected to repeat in his upcoming address.
Trump singled out Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan for praise, calling their work “incredible” despite ongoing scrutiny.
“They’ve been incredible for the job they’ve done,” he said. “They take nothing but abuse, but they’re pretty hardened to that because they know they’re doing the right thing.”
But the polls he calls “fake” suggest a widening credibility gap. Whether the support is truly “silent” — or simply shrinking — is a question voters will answer in the months ahead.
Watch the clip below:
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🇺🇸 Trump complains about low support:
“It just amazes me that there is not more support out there. We actually have a silent support.” pic.twitter.com/lyb6RnGuJ6
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) February 23, 2026
