Trump’s UN Address Draws Instant Fact-Check as Polls Show Low Approval
President touts claimed victories and immigration crackdown while critics highlight polling gaps
President Donald Trump delivered a rambling speech Tuesday at the United Nations, extolling what he described as the victories of his administration and portraying his immigration crackdown as a humanitarian act. He claimed to have 'ended seven wars' and 'defeated inflation' on a world stage, while arguing that his policies have saved lives by preventing migrants from attempting dangerous journeys to the United States.
Trump also framed his leadership around polling numbers, telling reporters that 'I have the highest poll numbers I’ve ever had.' He asserted that 'By them not coming, we’re saving tremendous numbers of lives,' a line critics quickly challenged as untrue or at least misleading. The latest YouGov/Economist poll published earlier this month placed his overall approval rating at 39%, described as an all-time low, while other major trackers showed more muted support: Reuters/Ipsos at 42%, Gallup at 40%, and Quinnipiac at 37%.
Reaction on social media was swift, with posts noting the gap between Trump's claims and polling data. One user wrote: 'Highest poll numbers? It must have been a private polling of sycophants and ass kissers because in the real world his poll numbers are far below sea level.' Others shared summaries from Reuters/Ipsos, Gallup and Quinnipiac showing approval in the low to mid-40s at most, far from the 'historic' levels implied by the president.
Analysts said the UN remarks fit a broader pattern in which Trump emphasizes personal victories and policy wins while framing immigration enforcement as a humanitarian measure. The former president has long tied public perception to poll numbers, a habit that has followed him from his time on NBC's The Apprentice into his broader political career.
With the political calendar in flux, the UN appearance underscores ongoing questions about policy outcomes and popularity as Trump continues to press for support among Republicans and independents alike while facing sustained scrutiny of his domestic record.