President Donald Trump started his second term with considerable momentum of public support. His approval rating in an early February CBS/YouGov poll reached as high as 53%. Americans described him as “tough,” “focused,” and “delivering on promises.” But by Day 100, that goodwill had evaporated. His approval plunged to between 39% and 42% across multiple polls. Some outlets even claimed it was a “record low.” Trump, however, was delivering on his promises—fast-tracking executive action, pushing for trade reform, confronting immigration issues, and holding federal agencies accountable. All the while, the media was back to its groupthink and outright war against Trump on all fronts.
Mainstream media outlets have been hammering Trump since Day One. A Harvard University study from his first term found that CNN’s coverage was 93% negative—almost indistinguishable from NBC (93%) and CBS (91%). That trend has continued. From border security to tariffs, Trump can’t make a move without the media lighting up like a five-alarm fire. Even neutral actions are twisted into existential threats to democracy. This relentless negativity has consequences. Public perception is not formed in a vacuum. Pew Research found that stories from left-leaning outlets during Trump’s presidency carried overwhelmingly negative assessments—only 5% positive in his first 60 days. Those who consume that coverage are far more likely to disapprove of Trump, regardless of policy merit.
This is how “groupthink” works. The same phrases, criticisms, and selective headlines get repeated across networks and platforms until dissenting voices are drowned out. Take tariffs, for example. Rather than sparking a balanced debate on strategic trade policy, the media paints them as reckless and inflationary—end of story. When courts block Trump’s actions, the coverage frames it as heroic resistance, not judicial overreach. Even attempts to tackle real issues—human trafficking, economic sovereignty, or government bloat—are met with suspicion or scorn. Yet Trump remains undeterred. Love him or loathe him, he is doing what he promised. President Trump is not adjusting his compass to please the media weather vane. He’s governing with the clarity of conviction, not the applause of the press gallery. That may be what they hate the most.
Psychological research indicates that consistent exposure to negatively-framed media content—using descriptors like “chaotic,” “divisive,” or “dangerous”—reinforces biases and shapes public perception, even among who were favorable to a subject. This is known as the “framing effect”–how the presentation of information influences decision-making and attitudes. This constant barrage of negativity can account for a 5–10 point or more swing in approval ratings. We are warned about this very thing in Ephesians 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Empty words abound in the headlines. Discern by seeking truth, not noise. And don’t be deceived by groupthink and the war on Trump.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-framing-effect-in-psychology-8713689?utm_source=chatgpt.com
