‘I’m shocked!’ Trump stuns after recognizing his tanking ‘real numbers’ for ‘first time’
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about the American economy and the cost of living during a visit to the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 2025. Shortly after that appearance, he drew attention for an unusual and emotional post on social media that surprised political commentators.
Hosts of The New Republic’s “Daily Blast” podcast said they were stunned by what they described as a strange outburst from Trump online. They noted that, for what may be the first time, Trump seemed to indirectly recognize real polling numbers showing that his support is falling, especially among key voting groups. This reaction stood out because Trump usually dismisses or ignores data that reflects poorly on him.
Trump’s post focused on his frustration about not receiving enough credit for what he sees as his accomplishments. The timing of the rant was notable because it followed new polling results showing that many Hispanic voters who supported him in the previous election are now turning away from him in large numbers. In his Truth Social post, Trump questioned why opinion polls were not showing what he called the current “greatness” of America, and he compared it to how bad he claimed things were one year earlier.
William Saletan, a staff writer at The Bulwark, said Trump’s comments were shocking because they hinted at an acceptance of unfavorable data. Speaking on the “Daily Blast” podcast, Saletan said this might be the first time Trump has openly reacted to real numbers instead of denying them outright. He pointed out that Trump frequently claims prices are falling and that the economy is improving, despite widespread evidence and everyday experiences that suggest otherwise.
Greg Sargent, the podcast’s host, agreed with Saletan and said the post showed signs that Trump understands he is facing serious political trouble. He described the message as a strange and revealing tirade that suggested anxiety rather than confidence.
Trump and the Republican Party have recently faced setbacks in several elections, including strong Democratic performances in New Jersey and Virginia. Exit polls from those races indicate that Trump’s support among Hispanic and Black voters has dropped sharply since the previous year. According to Saletan, there is now clear data showing that the gains Trump made with minority voters in 2024 have largely disappeared.
In Virginia, exit polls showed that Hispanic voters moved away from Republican candidates by about 15 points, while Black voters shifted by roughly 13 points. The pattern was even more dramatic in New Jersey, where Latino support dropped by 24 points and Black support fell by 28 points in the governor’s race. These changes suggest a widespread and growing trend rather than isolated incidents.
Saletan explained that many minority voters who once believed Trump might represent their interests are now reconsidering that view. As a result, Republican candidates at all levels of the ballot are suffering the consequences, not just Trump himself.
One of Trump’s biggest ongoing challenges is the economy. Inflation and high prices continue to strain American households, despite Trump’s repeated claims that costs are going down. Saletan noted that while Trump may insist the numbers look good, people who shop for groceries and pay everyday expenses know otherwise. This disconnect makes Trump’s denial less believable, and his recent post stood out because it seemed to admit, at least indirectly, that the polls showing his declining support might be telling the truth.
