President Donald Trump is “in denial” about his unfavorable polling numbers and is “distracted” by his Washington, D.C., renovation projects, according to a report.
Polls across the board, which Trump claimed were “fake,” show that a majority of Americans are unhappy with the president’s job performance.
Ahead of the looming midterm elections, insiders expressed frustration to Axios that, despite the grim polls, Trump “has no desire to back off” when it comes to the war in Iran, his trade tariffs and the overhauling of Washington monuments — issues that are unpopular with voters.
“He concentrates on the hobbies that distract from his terrible polling numbers, about which he is in denial,” a Trump insider told the outlet. “The other issue is how the war, tariffs and monuments are demoralizing the base.”
The report cited the latest Economist/YouGov poll tracking the president’s net approval rating, which fell to a record low of - 25 percent this week.
“My REAL Polling Numbers, not those made up by the Fake News Media, are the best they have ever been, and why wouldn’t they be with the biggest tax cuts and employment numbers EVER,” Trump responded.
The president acknowledged Friday that his party was facing an uphill battle in the upcoming midterm elections, but insisted voters are not angry at him.
“I mean they’re angry at Republicans, but they’re not angry at me. They’re not angry at me but they are angry at Republicans,” he told Punchbowl News.
During Trump’s second term, he has fixated on putting his personal touch on D.C.’s landmarks, and embarked on a $400 million White House ballroom project, which he referenced approximately the same number of times as healthcare affordability and drug pricing, according to analysis conducted in April.
Other projects include a flawed repair job of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and plans to install a 250-foot Triumphal Arch.
While 32 percent of Americans feel enthusiastic or satisfied with the plans, 65 percent feel dissatisfied or upset, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll last month.
Before Trump launched his war on Iran on February 28, his aides had urged him to stay on message about affordability — one of the most important issues for voters ahead of the midterms — but the conflict has proved to be a major distraction.
The White House issued a release Friday touting the Trump administration’s work on “rebuilding the foundation for lasting prosperity.”
“Across the country, private sector companies are responding to President Trump’s call by delivering tangible price reductions on everyday goods and services — putting money back in the pockets of American workers and families,” the release said.