Trump claims 'polls are rigged', declares his true approval rating at 64 percent

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on late Tuesday, December 30, pushed back against public polling, claiming that his approval rating stood at 64 percent, as he closed out 2025 with a defiant message to supporters.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected published survey results, questioned the credibility of pollsters, and highlighted what he described as major accomplishments ahead of the new year.

Trump claims 'the polls are rigged'

"The polls are rigged even more than the writers," Trump wrote. "The real number is 64%, and why not, our Country is ‘hotter’ than ever before."

He added, "Isn’t it nice to have a STRONG BORDER, No Inflation, a powerful Military, and great Economy??? Happy New Year!"

Recent polling averages, however, reportedly present a different picture. According to Decision Desk HQ, Trump’s approval rating currently stands at 44.1 percent.

The figure follows a series of Democratic gains in several 2025 off-year elections, and these results have drawn increased scrutiny of the administration’s political standing.

Karl Rove warns of retribution fatigue

Trump’s comments came one day after veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove published a warning in The Wall Street Journal about the president’s approach.

Rove argued that voters were increasingly weary of Trump’s rhetoric and focus on personal grievances rather than policy.

"There are signs that the public is tiring of his hyperbole," Rove wrote, adding that voters might increasingly focus on what he described as Trump’s "offensive or cruel" remarks.

Rove also questioned the effectiveness of Trump repeatedly touting his accomplishments as unmatched, suggesting that such messaging risks alienating undecided voters.

'A-plus' economy vs cost‑of‑living issues

Earlier this month, Trump graded the economy under his second term as an "A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus," despite reportedly mixed economic indicators.

While inflation has eased from previous highs, cost-of-living concerns remain prominent. Job growth has also shown signs of slowing. Trump attributed these trends to policies enacted under former President Joe Biden.

During the 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to rapidly reduce prices and reverse Biden-era economic initiatives, making affordability a central theme of his message to voters.

The Epstein fracture

At the same time, internal tensions within the Republican Party have intensified. Trump was engaged in a public dispute with Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who is scheduled to resign from Congress on January 5.

Greene alleged that Trump warned her that "my friends will get hurt" if the Jeffrey Epstein files were released.

The claim has fueled division within GOP ranks as the Department of Justice continues reviewing roughly 5.2 million pages of records connected to the late financier.

The ongoing dispute has added another layer of political uncertainty as the administration heads into 2026.