Donald Trump is once again angry — this time over a new NBC News poll that paints a bleak picture for both him and his party. The survey revealed that most Americans blame Trump and the Republicans for the government shutdown, which has now stretched into its second month.
The 79-year-old president has been under growing pressure as millions of Americans continue to struggle during the shutdown. According to the poll, about two-thirds of voters say Trump has failed to meet their expectations as a leader. Even worse for him, 52% of those surveyed directly blame Trump and his fellow Republicans in Congress for the crisis. Only 42% blamed the Democrats, showing that the public clearly sees Trump’s administration as the main cause of the ongoing chaos.
The shutdown has already had a serious impact on ordinary Americans. Around 40 million people who rely on SNAP food benefits saw their payments stopped, leaving many families unable to buy groceries. Anger toward the White House grew until a federal judge ordered the administration to resume payments.
The same NBC poll also predicted that Democrats could gain an early advantage in the 2026 congressional elections. About half of the people surveyed said they wanted Democrats to take control of Congress again, while only 42% supported the Republicans. That result reportedly infuriated Trump, who lashed out at NBC host Joe Scarborough on his Truth Social account.
“Wow! Joe Scarborough’s Television Ratings are really bad. They have gone, as they say, ‘down the tubes,’ as has the rest of MSNBC. It’s a beautiful thing to watch!” Trump posted.
Scarborough later responded to the poll results on his morning show, calling them “deadly numbers” for the Republican Party. He pointed out that the data clearly shows how badly the GOP is being hurt by the shutdown and public frustration. His co-host added that Trump has only himself to blame for the poor results, with Scarborough agreeing that “things seem to be breaking against Republicans right now.”
In a separate interview on 60 Minutes with Norah O’Donnell, Trump shocked viewers by hinting that he might consider running for president again in 2028. At first, he tried to avoid giving a direct answer, saying, “I don’t even think about it.” But then he admitted that many people want him to run again, boasting that Republicans have “a strong bench” of potential candidates — though he refused to name anyone.
Meanwhile, Trump’s image has been further damaged by reports about his $300 million plan to add a “golden ballroom” to the White House, financed by private donors. The project has been widely criticized as out of touch and wasteful, especially while millions of Americans are struggling to afford food. Many believe it’s a bad look for a president who is facing so much public anger over the shutdown.
Critics say the focus on luxury renovations, while the country faces a food crisis, shows how disconnected Trump has become from the reality ordinary citizens are facing. The White House project, meant to symbolize Trump’s “grand vision,” is instead being seen as another example of misplaced priorities.
As public frustration grows, the Democrats appear to be gaining momentum. The poll numbers suggest that Americans are ready for change — tired of political gridlock, tired of the shutdown, and increasingly doubtful of Trump’s leadership.
For now, Trump is fighting back in the only way he knows how — by attacking his critics online. But if these poll numbers are any indication, his road to political recovery might be harder than he thinks.
