The role of media coverage further shapes how presidential leadership is perceived. Supporters of Trump frequently argue that mainstream media outlets portray his actions in a disproportionately negative light, while critics assert that his statements sometimes contain exaggerations or inaccuracies that warrant scrutiny.
Independent fact-checking organizations have documented instances in which Trump made claims that were partially accurate, misleading, or false, particularly regarding crowd sizes, election processes, and specific policy impacts.
At the same time, political rhetoric across administrations commonly involves selective emphasis on favorable data.
Another element influencing public opinion is the broader social and institutional climate. Trust in government institutions has declined over several decades, and political polarization has intensified.
In this environment, presidential approval ratings often reflect entrenched partisan identities more than short-term policy shifts.
Voters aligned with a president’s party are more likely to express approval, while those aligned with the opposing party are more likely to express disapproval.
This pattern was evident throughout Trump’s first term and has continued to characterize political opinion in the United States more broadly.
