President Trump Slams CNN After Pollster Highlights Record-Breaking Gas Price Disapproval
President Trump lashes out at CNN following pollster’s remarks on his historic disapproval ratings amid soaring gas prices.
Daniel Torok/Wikimedia Commons
On Friday, President Donald Trump launched a fierce attack on CNN after the network’s pollster publicly highlighted record-high disapproval ratings tied to soaring gas prices. The confrontation unfolded amid rising fuel costs that have frustrated Americans nationwide and put additional pressure on the Trump administration in its second term.
Record-Breaking Disapproval Over Gas Prices
CNN anchor John Berman introduced pollster Harry Enten to discuss the political fallout from rising fuel costs, noting that the national average for a gallon of gas had climbed 3 cents overnight and 40 cents over the past month, marking the highest September prices in U.S. history. Enten pointed out that President Trump’s disapproval rating regarding gas prices had surged to 80%, the highest level ever recorded for any president in polling history.
“The American people are quite upset with gas prices and are taking their frustration out on the president of the United States, breaking records that, simply put, you don’t want to break,” Enten said. This included a record-setting disapproval on inflation that had just been noted the day before.
Trump’s Response: Accusations of Fake News
In response to the broadcast and Enten’s commentary, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to condemn CNN as “unwatchable” and “failing,” accusing the network of biased reporting against the Republican Party. He labeled CNN “FAKE NEWS” and celebrated what he described as their dwindling viewership.
Later on Friday afternoon, Trump announced an immediate ban on CNN, MSNOW (formerly MSNBC), and Politico from the White House, citing what he called their continuous “FAKE NEWS” coverage. He also criticized the $8 million government subscription Politico reportedly received during the Biden administration, calling it corrupt.
Public Backlash and MAGA Supporters’ Concerns
Amid the political turmoil, record-breaking diesel and gasoline prices have hit American consumers hard, including many loyal MAGA supporters. A video of a MAGA-affiliated trucking business owner pleading with President Trump to address the skyrocketing fuel costs went viral this week. The owner, visibly distressed, explained how diesel prices topping $6 a gallon made operating his $275,000 truck financially impossible.
“President Trump, I’ve supported you since you came down the escalator. I still support you… I’m begging you, you’ve got to end it. You’ve got to do something,” the trucker implored in the video, referencing geopolitical tensions such as the ongoing Iran conflict that have contributed to fuel price surges.
Political Implications Ahead of Midterms
The mounting dissatisfaction over inflation and fuel costs comes at a critical time as Republicans currently control the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. President Trump’s second term, inaugurated in January 2025, has faced increasing scrutiny over economic challenges, with gas prices emerging as a particularly sensitive issue for voters nationwide, including in key swing states.
Analysts warn that record disapproval ratings on inflation and gas prices could impact Republican prospects in the 2026 midterm elections if the administration is unable to address these concerns effectively.
As President Trump continues to confront critical media outlets and deflect blame amid economic pressures, the nation watches closely how rising costs and public sentiment will shape the remainder of his administration and the political landscape ahead.
