By Charles Switzer
10:15am PST, Feb 22, 2025
Trump Dismisses Reporter's Question on Federal Layoffs
During a press conference, President
Donald Trump mocked an ABC News reporter after she asked about backlash from Republican voters over
Elon Musk's federal layoffs. The reporter noted that members of Congress in red districts were facing pushback at town halls regarding Musk's actions and the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Instead of addressing the concerns directly, Trump dismissed the question by asking which network she represented. Upon hearing "ABC News," he sarcastically responded, "No wonder," before pivoting to boast about his poll numbers and the supposed success of Musk's cost-cutting measures.
Here's what else the president said and if his claims pass fact-checking.
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Trump's Inflated Claims About His Approval Ratings
Trump took the opportunity to claim that his
approval ratings were the highest they had ever been, asserting that he had "the highest poll numbers of any Republican president ever."
However, this statement was demonstrably false. Recent polls from CNN and
The Washington Post indicate Trump's approval ratings are underwater, with net negatives of 47 to 52 percent and 45 to 53 percent, respectively.
Additionally, Musk's role in the administration is proving divisive, as 58 percent of Americans oppose his large-scale
federal layoffs, while only 34 percent approve of his actions.
Historical Context Proves Trump Wrong
Trump's assertion that he holds the highest approval ratings of any Republican president does not hold up against historical data. For instance, after the September 11 attacks,
George W. Bush's approval soared to 92 percent, while his father,
George H.W. Bush, enjoyed an 89 percent rating following the 1990 to 1991 Gulf War.
Even
Ronald Reagan, after surviving an assassination attempt in 1981, reached a 68 percent approval rating. Trump's current standing is nowhere near these figures, further debunking his claim of historic popularity.
Elon Musk's Role Remains Controversial
While Trump praised Musk's work with DOGE, calling it an effort requiring "courage," the reality is that the American public remains largely skeptical.
One month in office, and despite Trump's insistence that Musk has uncovered "billions and billions" in waste and fraud, there has been little evidence provided to support this claim.
Instead, recent reports highlight growing discontent with Musk's handling of government restructuring, making his influence within the Trump administration a point of contention rather than widespread approval.
