During a stop in Nebraska, former president Donald trump told a reporter he was “doing great” despite a cascade of poll results that place his approval at a record low. The remarks came as he prepared to endorse a Republican Senate candidate and as media inquiries focused on his dwindling support among key demographic groups. Trump dismissed the criticism as typical “fake news” from networks he routinely attacks, but the numbers themselves tell a starkly different story.
Polls show Trump at historic low
A recent Reuters-Ipsos survey confirms that only 32% of American voters approve of Trump’s performance, the lowest figure recorded in his two terms. Even more striking is the decline among Hispanic voters with approval sinking to just 24% – a drop that eclipses any level seen during his presidency. In parallel, an NBC/Telemundo poll revealed that 59% of Latino respondents now favor a Democratic-controlled Congress, roughly double the share that backed the party two years ago. These shifts suggest that the demographic that once helped lift Trump to the White House is now moving firmly toward the opposition.
Campaign moves and media friction
At the Nebraska rally, Trump signed an executive order allowing anyone to purchase tax-free red-dyed diesel, a fuel traditionally exempt from taxes for agricultural use. The order was handed to the stage by aide Natalie Harp, who the former president praised as “perfect” and likened to a game-show host. Simultaneously, Trump promised to cover the cost of recent television advertisements that critics allege were funded with taxpayer money. He said the ads would be paid for with his own cash and contributions to the MAGA, Inc. political action committee, branding the spots as a “positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.”
Media relations grew tense when Politico was barred from traveling on Air Force One for the Nebraska trip, a reversal of a previous decision that had blocked CNN from the same privilege. The outlet’s exclusion came despite a temporary court order allowing Politico, CNN and MSNBC to access the White House. In related news, former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she is joining Fox News as an on-air contributor, bringing her experience from the Trump administration to the network’s election-night coverage.
Legal and policy battles beyond the rally
The Supreme Court opened arguments for its 2026-27 term in a case that could reshape climate-policy litigation. State officials from Boulder, Colorado, sued Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil seeking compensation for damages attributed to climate change. The oil giants argue that only federal legislation can address such nationwide issues, a stance the Court will evaluate with eight justices after Justice Alito recused himself over perceived conflicts.
Immigration shooting lawsuit surfaces
A lawsuit filed by Marimar Martinez, a Chicago resident who was shot by a Customs and Border Protection agent during an immigration raid, claims the agent falsified his account of the incident. Experts hired by Martinez’s attorneys contend the agent fired five rounds from behind her vehicle, contradicting official statements that she had endangered the officer’s SUV. The case adds another layer of controversy to ongoing debates about immigration enforcement tactics.
Additional political fallout
Senator Adam Schiff demanded proof that the federal government has stopped using taxpayer dollars for pro-Trump advertising, echoing concerns raised by House Judiciary Committee members. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the removal of U.S. bombers from a U.K. airbase was not directly linked to an alleged Iranian plot, emphasizing continual resource reallocation by the Department of Defense. In a separate development, a Nicaraguan exile who sought asylum in the United States was deported back to Managua and immediately re-imprisoned, drawing renewed attention to the country’s harsh treatment of political dissidents.
