Former United States President Donald Trump celebrated the six-month anniversary of his second term with a victorious message on Truth Social, proclaiming the United States as the "hottest" and "most respected nation anywhere in the world." Posting his message on Sunday, July 21, Trump said, "Wow, time flies! Today is that Sixth Month Anniversary of my Second Term. Importantly, it's being hailed as one of the most consequential periods of any President."
Trump lauded the transformation he asserts to have achieved in the country, stating, "A year ago, our Country was DEAD, with hardly any hope of resurrection." He added, "Today the USA is the 'hottest' and most respected Country anywhere in the World. Happy Anniversary!!!"
But data on public opinion tells a different story. Trump's approval rating is still in the hole, with 52.7% of American adults disapproving of his presidency and just 44.6% approving, per Decision Desk HQ. A new Economist/YouGov poll also recorded his disapproval rating to be its highest level since the beginning of his second term.
Nonetheless, Trump maintains that his popularity among the Republican Party has increased. Citing recent scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein, Trump said, "My support has gone up significantly since the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax was exposed by the Radical Left Democrats and, just plain 'troublemakers.'" He referenced Republican Party polling percentages from 90% to 95% as all-time highs.
To respond to increasing demands for transparency, Trump recently instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to make grand jury records from Epstein's case public. However, he doubted the move would ever be acceptable to his critics. "Nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics," he wrote on Truth Social. "It will always be more, more, more. MAGA!
Joining in the weekend drama, Trump also sued Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal for defamation in an article stating that he had sent a "bawdy" letter to Epstein on his 50th birthday. The suit marks Trump's ongoing struggle with large media outlets as he continues his confrontational political stance.
The anniversary post, controversy over Epstein files, and the defamation suit show Trump’s determination to shape his narrative, even as he faces growing scrutiny.
