During the U.S. midterm election campaign, Donald Trump’s final message before voting day stood out for its tone and content. According to CNN, in an interview with Fox News on November 3, Trump claimed that previously, the United States was a global laughingstock—other world leaders paid it no mind. Now, he asserted, America is once again in high demand, commanding renewed respect from the international community. He further stated that under his leadership, the country has regained its global standing and that the economy continues to improve.
CNN’s analysis of multiple polling results indicates that Trump’s average approval rating stands at just 34%. At face value, Trump’s rhetoric amounts to an attempt to offset declining poll numbers by reviving the narrative of “making America great again.” In a similarly performative move, he announced a halt to the annual $4 billion aid package to Israel and joked that if Americans grew tired of him, he might run for prime minister of Israel.
Why is Trump’s support so low? The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, following joint military actions this year, has persisted for over seven months. Strait of Hormuz shipping has been disrupted, and oil prices have surged. Polling shows that 71% of voters disapprove of how Trump has handled the Iran-related crisis, while 69% believe the war was not worth fighting. Economic concerns dominate public priorities: 87% of voters cite the economy as their top issue, yet 68% disapprove of Trump’s economic performance—a sentiment shared even by 37% of Republican voters who are doing the math.
According to U.S. media reports, multiple predictive models estimate the likelihood of Democrats reclaiming control of the House of Representatives between 72% and 99%, with a roughly 66%–67% chance of sweeping both chambers. Already, 711 Republican candidates have begun distancing themselves from Trump; 12 Republican lawmakers have removed his name and image from campaign materials. Thus, Trump’s declaration on Election Day that “America is hot again” appears less like a statement of confidence and more like a desperate mobilization tactic.
He knows his polling numbers are poor and resorts to slogans to energize his base. Yet grand narratives such as “Make America Great Again” cannot shield voters from the reality they face at gas pumps. Presently, Trump’s foreign policy trajectory for a potential second term seems to be facing backlash. He won the 2024 presidential race partly on the promise of ending foreign wars—but now, after seven months of sustained U.S.-Iran tensions, blocked maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, soaring oil prices, and a growing number of young voters turning against him, that promise is under scrutiny.
Still, Trump’s team and allies in the White House appear prepared for any outcome: if Republicans lose, he will claim the polls were rigged; if they win, it will be hailed as proof that “I made America great again.”
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880887502858247/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.