President Donald Trump has never shied away from clashing with the media, but this week he turned his fire on an outlet long considered a stronghold of conservative voices Fox News. In a tense on-air exchange during his visit to the United Kingdom, Trump openly dismissed Fox’s latest polling on the U.S. economy, calling it “the worst” and urging the network to “get a new pollster.”
The sharp rebuke came during The Story with anchor Martha MacCallum, where the discussion quickly escalated after she cited troubling numbers for the Trump administration.
Trump Rejects Fox’s Economic Polling
MacCallum pointed out that a new Fox News survey found 52 percent of voters believe the U.S. economy is worse under Trump’s administration, compared with only 30 percent who said it has improved. Another 18 percent reported no noticeable difference from when Joe Biden was in office.
The data, gathered between September 6 and September 9, reflects widespread concern about rising unemployment and higher grocery bills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers added just 22,000 jobs last month, far below the 80,000 economists had predicted. Meanwhile, the jobless rate climbed to 4.3 percent, the highest since 2021.
But Trump dismissed the findings outright.
“Well, when the factories start opening, people will feel it,” he said. “Fox polling, I’ve told you before, it’s the worst polling I’ve ever had. I told Rupert Murdoch, go get yourself a new pollster, because he stinks. And this has gone on for years now.”
Martha MacCallum Presses Trump on the Economy
The Fox anchor pressed the President with specific numbers, pointing to rising costs and stalled job growth:
- Unemployment at a four-year high
- Sharp jumps in grocery prices
- Disappointing job creation numbers
“When will people feel the benefits of your plans?” she asked pointedly.
Trump responded by highlighting long-term infrastructure and factory development, arguing that results would be more visible once those projects opened their doors. Still, he pivoted quickly back to criticizing Fox’s survey methods.
Trump’s Long History of Criticizing Polls
This clash is not the first time Trump has dismissed Fox News polling. During the 2024 campaign, his team described the network’s surveys as “atrocious” when results appeared to favor Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Fox is releasing atrocious polling,” his campaign said at the time. “President Trump continues to outperform polling from past cycles.”
The campaign also highlighted gains in key swing states, noting that Trump was reportedly performing 10 points higher in Arizona, 8 points higher in Nevada, and 5 points higher in North Carolina compared to the same point in 2020.
For Trump, the message is clear: polls are often wrong, and Fox should not be trusted to capture the true strength of his support.
Why This Clash Matters
Fox News has been a key media platform for conservative politicians for decades. Trump’s attacks on the network’s credibility highlight both his frustration with unfavorable coverage and his determination to control the narrative around the economy.
Several political analysts argue that Trump’s aggressive dismissal of polls especially those from a network often friendly to Republicans reflects a broader strategy: keeping his base skeptical of mainstream data and more reliant on his messaging.
The timing is also critical. With unemployment rising and consumer costs surging, the economy is expected to be a defining issue in the upcoming election cycle. How Trump frames this narrative could shape whether voters blame his policies or outside factors for the current downturn.
Public Reaction to Trump vs. Fox
The fiery exchange quickly lit up social media, with supporters praising Trump for “telling it like it is” and critics arguing he is refusing to face economic realities. Many also noted the irony of Trump blasting Fox, a network he once relied on for favorable coverage.
Some viewers suggested that Fox’s polling only reflects what independent surveys have also found: that many Americans are worried about jobs, inflation, and long-term financial stability. Others argued that Trump’s willingness to criticize even his “home team” shows how far his combative style extends.
The Bigger Picture
The clash between Donald Trump and Fox News is more than just a soundbite it’s a window into the tension between political figures and the media outlets that cover them. It also underscores how much weight economic perceptions carry in U.S. politics.
With rising unemployment and slowing job growth, Trump’s defense of his administration’s record will continue to be tested. Meanwhile, Fox News is standing by its polling, which was conducted with established methodologies.
Whether voters believe Trump’s dismissal of the numbers or trust Fox’s data may say a lot about how the political landscape shifts heading into the next election cycle.
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