While departing from the White House for a diplomatic mission to Japan, President Donald Trump spoke with the press. When asked for his thoughts on how the multiple investigations into his presidential administration, campaign, businesses and charitable foundation might affect his reelection chances in 2020, the President stated his approval poll numbers were great.
Trump said:
"My poll numbers are very good. I guess we have a 48 today. A 51. We have very good poll numbers considering."
Then the President made a claim that his numbers would be much higher if not for the press.
"I have to tell you, if you people would give straight news, I would be at 70. I’d be maybe a 75."
Trump added:
"You don’t give straight news. You give fake news. With fake news, I’m still winning the election."
Then the President asserted the press is supposed to only give good news.
"If you gave serious good news the way you’re supposed to, I’d probably be at 70 or 75 based on the economy alone."
Watch his remarks here.
Trump claims with a straight face that his approval rating would be 75 percent if not for “the fake news.” https://t.co/phZJWWUMtS— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1558718073.0
But people immediately picked up on Trump's quoted current poll numbers. Conservative polling firm Rasmussen only has the President at 46 percent approval rating in their latest poll. Quinnipiac had the President's approval at just 38 percent.
Exaggeration is nothing new for President Trump and people were quick to point it out.
@atrupar He’s a pathological narcissist. He can’t help it.— Students for Democracy (@Students for Democracy) 1558722584.0
@atrupar https://t.co/rBsTAfeGBK— Scott Zastrow (@Scott Zastrow) 1558718325.0
@atrupar Is it just me, or does he seem super emboldened today? The lies are just flying out. Yuck.— Melissa Reeves (@Melissa Reeves) 1558718417.0
Some wondered why Trump low-balled it at just 48 percent, 51 percent and 75 percent.
@atrupar Why didn’t he just go for 97%? He knows he wants to.— Mo Turkey Mo Problems (@Mo Turkey Mo Problems) 1558718106.0
@FlyingMezerkis @atrupar I was thinking 110%, many people saying it’s higher than that!— Merrill⭐️ (@Merrill⭐️) 1558719506.0
@atrupar That’s ten percent more than he claimed it would be a few days ago.— Dread Pikathulhu (@Dread Pikathulhu) 1558718138.0
@DreadPikathulhu @atrupar I was just thinking the same thing... It’ll go up after he returns from his pre-determine… https://t.co/OtbhZu7uSt— Beverly was here ⬇️ (@Beverly was here ⬇️) 1558718339.0
@atrupar Let's just make it an even 80% since he likes round numbers. Meaning : I'd be real popular if the news di… https://t.co/ne5UTgewOf— Tardis_lass (@Tardis_lass) 1558724855.0
@atrupar He's become his very own Baghdad Bob! 75% approval? Fake News conspiring to keep poll #'s down? Bill Barr… https://t.co/71JspimAyD— mark dupuis (@mark dupuis) 1558718637.0
And the rest of the President's remarks did not get a much better reception.
Trump calls the Mueller investigation an “attempted coup,” hints that the results of Bill Barr’s declassifications… https://t.co/GKaBFfEBYm— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1558716282.0
@atrupar he's such a little bitch https://t.co/jOZRnpC7oM— ᑕᕼᑌᑎK (@ᑕᕼᑌᑎK) 1558716341.0
The president of the United States is out here spreading “word and rumor” about the FBI and CIA https://t.co/9M4fPmIUmm— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1558717161.0
And after accusing the press of sharing fake news, the President admitted to sharing altered video of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
Trump suggests he shared heavily edited video meant to demean Nancy Pelosi for the good of the country https://t.co/DEZWpkpZE4— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1558717424.0
@atrupar So now he’s putting out “fake news” to benefit himself. How much longer will Americans put up with this mo… https://t.co/LCHAHeJMWs— Joanna (@Joanna) 1558718142.0
@atrupar He should resign for the good of the country.— Queen Bee (@Queen Bee) 1558718238.0
@atrupar Its good for our country to have a petty, vindictive President?— rmc (@rmc) 1558717586.0
The President headed to Tokyo for meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Trump will also meet new Emperor Naruhito and attend a state dinner. The President also plans to play golf while there.