Despite enduring a decade-long, multi-billion-dollar media campaign aimed at discrediting him, President Donald Trump currently enjoys a higher average approval rating than former President Barack Obama at the same point in his second term.
RealClearPolitics’ daily tracking shows Trump with an average job approval rating of 45.3% as of October 13. In contrast, Obama’s approval on the same day in 2013 stood at 44.4%, and George W. Bush’s at a notably lower 39.5% in 2005. This snapshot of public sentiment undermines the prevailing narrative from mainstream media outlets, which continue to suggest Trump is unpopular or in freefall with the American public.
Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has been the target of relentless criticism from corporate media, academia, and the entertainment industry. Yet, the coordinated attacks seem to be losing their grip on public opinion. In contrast to their success in dragging down George W. Bush’s ratings, even in the face of controversies like Hurricane Katrina and immigration missteps, the media’s efforts to sink Trump have fallen short.
Obama, meanwhile, enjoyed broad media support throughout his administration—even amid significant scandals like the Benghazi attack, economic stagnation, and the fallout from Obamacare. Despite this protection, his approval numbers did not outperform Trump’s at the same stage.
What this trend reveals is a significant shift in the media landscape. Traditional outlets have lost the ability to steer public opinion the way they once did. The rise of alternative media, independent journalism, and social platforms has allowed Americans to form opinions outside the corporate media filter.
Today, voters are increasingly tuning out the legacy press and engaging directly with issues and viewpoints that align with their lived experiences and values. Trump’s resilience in the polls despite unprecedented opposition highlights the mainstream media’s waning power.
