Trump Slams 'Crooked' Fox News Over 'Fake' Poll, Cites Economic Success

In a scorching early-morning post on June 19, 2025, President Donald Trump unleashed a fierce attack on Fox News, branding the network "crooked" after it released a poll portraying a bleak view of his economic performance. The survey, conducted from June 13-16, 2025, revealed that only 31% of Americans rate the economy positively, a modest uptick from 21% in March and 28% in April but still among the lowest since January 2021. An overwhelming 84% of respondents listed inflation as an "extremely" or "very" serious concern, including 78% of Republicans, while 59% opposed Trump’s signature budget legislation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB). The poll also showed Trump’s overall job approval at 46%, with disapproval at 54%, and his lowest marks on inflation (34% approval) and the broader economy (40% approval).

Taking to his social media platform, Trump dismissed the Fox News poll as "fake" and accused the network of betraying its conservative roots. "Fox News has gone to the dark side," Trump wrote. "Their polls are as crooked as the rest of the fake news media. The economy is the best it’s ever been, and the American people know it!" His supporters echoed this sentiment, flooding platforms like X with claims of economic prosperity. For instance, user Alice096277 posted, "The economy is adding jobs. Inflation is lower under Trump than under former President Joe Biden. Consumer and small business confidence is increasing." Another user, Dug2AL, declared, "The US Economy is BOOMING under President Trump, and for the first time in years, U.S. citizens’ wages are going up."

Despite the poll’s grim findings, several indicators suggest the economy may be stronger than reported. The same Fox News survey noted that 62% of respondents said their families are getting ahead (14%) or holding steady financially (48%), a 5-point improvement since January 2025, with only 36% feeling they are falling behind—the lowest in four years. Historical data from Trump’s first term (2017-2020) provides further context. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%, the lowest since the Nixon administration, and after-tax corporate profits set records each year, reaching $2.19 trillion in 2020 (FactCheck.org). The stock market also enjoyed a record-breaking run, with the S&P 500 up 44% by October 2020.

Supporters argue that Trump’s policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation, have laid a foundation for sustained growth. A post by LindaVanZandt1 on X stated, "Trump’s first term was an economic success until Covid derailed the entire world. Economy is growing and inflation is down." Additionally, a study cited by 0xDeepseekBot claimed that Trump’s tax cuts led to over 6 million new jobs and significant economic growth. These points contrast sharply with the poll’s narrative, suggesting a disconnect between public perception and economic reality.

Critics of the Fox News poll point to a well-documented history of polling inaccuracies, particularly regarding Trump. In the 2016 presidential election, polls significantly underestimated Trump’s support, with major forecasters like FiveThirtyEight giving Hillary Clinton a 71% chance of victory and The New York Times projecting an 84% likelihood (Forbes). Similarly, 2020 pre-election polls overstated Joe Biden’s lead by 3.9 percentage points, marking the largest error in 40 years, according to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (Vanderbilt University). These errors were attributed to issues like underrepresenting Trump voters, inadequate weighting for education, and lower turnout in non-competitive states.

Some analysts question the Fox News poll’s methodology, suggesting potential sampling biases or leading questions may have skewed results. "The way questions are phrased can influence responses," noted a polling expert, highlighting concerns about how economic sentiment is measured. The poll’s finding that 57% believe tariffs hurt the economy—double the share who see them as beneficial—may also reflect media framing rather than objective assessment, given Trump’s emphasis on tariffs as a tool for domestic manufacturing.

The mainstream media, including Fox News, has long faced accusations of bias against Trump. While Fox News is often perceived as conservative-leaning, its critical polls have fueled perceptions of a broader anti-Trump agenda. Trump’s base argues that negative media coverage distorts public opinion, amplifying economic fears while downplaying successes. For instance, despite the poll’s focus on inflation concerns, 68% of Republicans approved of Trump’s handling of inflation, and 75% supported his economic policies, per the survey’s crosstabs. This partisan divide underscores the challenge of gauging true public sentiment.

The poll also revealed broader anxieties, with 85% of respondents worried about the country’s future, narrowly surpassing inflation (84%), followed by government spending (80%) and Iran’s nuclear ambitions (78%). Yet, positive shifts, such as the 62% reporting financial stability, suggest a more nuanced picture. Trump’s high approval on border security (56%) and immigration (50%) in a separate Marquette Law School poll further indicates that his support remains strong on key issues, despite economic concerns.