Former MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews challenged recent polling data showing declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump, asserting that the country continues to gravitate toward the current administration despite what surveys indicate.
During a Saturday appearance on “A Charlie Rose Global Conversation,” Matthews expressed skepticism about multiple polls showing Trump’s approval ratings between 37 and 41 percent. “To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump!” he declared, dismissing the polling results entirely.
The former cable news host argued that Trump maintains a stronger public presence than Democratic leaders, including former President Barack Obama. Matthews indicated that while Obama retains tremendous charisma, Trump possesses a different kind of strength that resonates with voters who seek powerful leadership figures. He suggested that approximately half the country accepts Trump’s approach to governance.
Recent polling from Gallup placed Trump’s approval rating at 37 percent, while CNN reported 41 percent approval. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted polling in July that showed Trump at 40 percent approval, figures that fall below those of recent presidents during their second-term beginnings.
Matthews emphasized Trump’s cultural connection to American voters, describing his ability to understand public concerns and anxieties. He compared Trump’s intuitive grasp of public sentiment to that of a schoolyard bully who identifies everyone’s vulnerabilities, though he framed this as a political asset rather than a character flaw.
The political commentator contrasted Trump’s cultural awareness with that of other Democratic politicians, specifically mentioning former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Matthews suggested these figures lack the same connection to what he termed “the electricity of what’s going on in the country culturally,” emphasizing Trump’s understanding of effective political messaging.
According to Matthews, Trump demonstrates exceptional spontaneity and awareness of changing public moods. He described Trump’s ability to reassess positions throughout a single day, citing the President’s understanding of timing in popular culture, including references to the “Zoolander” movie franchise and its varying reception.
Despite overall approval ratings showing decline, Trump maintains strong support within his Republican base. CNN polling indicates 88 percent of Republicans continue backing the President, while Quinnipiac places that figure at 90 percent, representing slight increases from previous surveys.
Trump addressed his internal party support on Truth Social on July 20, claiming his poll numbers within the Republican Party and MAGA movement increased significantly following what he termed the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” He reported approval ratings ranging from 90 to 95 percent in various Republican polls, describing these as party records.
Matthews’ comments represent a continuation of occasional praise he has offered Trump since leaving MSNBC in 2020. In April, the former host supported Trump’s approach toward Harvard University regarding allegations of campus antisemitism, calling the administration’s strategy of targeting grant money both smart and appropriate given record-high antisemitism levels.
The veteran political commentator, who hosted “Hardball” for over two decades across multiple networks, retired from MSNBC in March 2020 following workplace conduct complaints. His departure came after acknowledging inappropriate comments about women’s appearances and apologizing for past behavior that violated contemporary workplace standards.
Matthews has since launched a revived version of “Hardball” on the Substack platform, joining other former cable news personalities who have moved to subscription-based independent media. The show, which originally ran from 1994 to 2020 across America’s Talking, CNBC, and MSNBC, now appears on Substack with what Matthews describes as a faster pace.
The political analyst’s defense of Trump’s popularity comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the President’s handling of various issues, including the Jeffrey Epstein case. However, Matthews maintains that Trump’s political instincts and cultural connectivity continue to serve him effectively, regardless of traditional polling metrics that suggest declining public support.
