The results of our latest national survey underscore a central reality for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms: President Donald Trump and "facts" move voters — but only if voters actually hear them.
The survey (1,000 likely voters ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level) was conducted December 15–19, during a week in which President Trump deliberately refocused his message on the economy.
That effort began with a rally in Pennsylvania, continued with a White House prime-time address to the nation, and concluded with another rally in North Carolina.
Again, the public likes Trump as he maintains a solid 50% approval rating.
The new White House media strategy is sound.
The opportunity for positive movement in public opinion is clearly there.
But the challenge remains how to communicate effectively when much of the national media acts as a political gatekeeper rather than a neutral messenger.
During the President's address, several liberal, anti-Trump networks chose to censor or obscure the White House's visual graphs — graphs which clearly documented improvements in wage growth versus inflation, gas prices, manufacturing, and tax refunds.
This was not a subtle editorial decision; it was a deliberate act of information suppression.
It's illustrative of precisely why moving public opinion remains difficult even when the facts are on the president's side.
How can Mr. Trump change public perceptions when large segments of the media refuse to present the evidence and instead continue nonstop attacks?
This is the same dynamic Republicans faced in the 2024 campaign.
The difference now is that our nation's 47th commander in chief is governing — and the left-wing media is persisting with Biden-era censorship and bias.
That reality must be confronted directly.
Our poll results explain why message clarity and direct communication are essential:
—Direction of the Nation: Only 38% of voters believe the country is on the right track, while 55% say it is on the wrong track. Among the 43% of voters who regularly consume left-of-center media, just 36% say right track, compared to 60% who say wrong track.
—Holiday Optimism: During the Christmas season, only 27% of voters say they feel more optimistic and better off than in recent years.
Thirty-two percent say they feel about the same, while 38% feel more pessimistic and worse off.
Among right-of-center media viewers, optimism rises to 46%, with just 23% feeling worse off. Among left-of-center media viewers, only 28% feel better off, while 40% feel worse.
Media framing can even shape how Americans experience the holidays.
—Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans continue to trail Democrats by one point, 45% to 46%, unchanged from last month.
—Presidential Approval: President Trump’s job approval stands at a solid 50%, with 47% disapproving. Among left-wing media consumers, approval drops to 43%, while disapproval rises to 54%.
—Inflation Remains the Core Problem: A striking 79% of voters say inflation has negatively affected them, including 42% who report they are still struggling to make ends meet.
—Top Voter Concerns: Domestic economic issues dominate. Forty-two percent cite economic concerns, including inflation (21%) and the economy more broadly (9%).
—Economic Perceptions Remain Distorted: While 51% say the U.S. is not in a recession (up two points), 56% still believe the economy is getting worse, compared to 37% who say it is improving.
Among left-of-center media viewers, 62% say the economy is getting worse. Among right-of-center viewers, 59% say it is getting better. Americans are living in the same economy—but consuming two very different narratives.
—Facts Change Minds: When voters are presented with factual information—that the economy is growing, inflation is declining, wages are rising faster than prices, consumer spending is up, unemployment is low, interest rates are being cut, business investment is rising, and federal taxes are being cut — public opinion shifts dramatically.
With the facts, 62% say the economy is getting better and only 33% say it is getting worse—a massive net swing.
Even among left-of-center media viewers, a majority (55%) say the economy is improving once they see the data. This explains why legacy media outlets chose to censor the President’s graphs.
—Tax Cut Messaging Still Unclear: Most voters do not yet view President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA) as a tax cut.
Only about four in 10 say it lowers taxes, while a similar share see it as a spending bill.
As a result, support remains soft — especially among independents and undecided voters. Republicans must clearly explain how the tax cuts directly benefit working families and fuel economic growth, especially compared to Democrats’ plans to raise taxes.
—Federal Reserve Leadership: Despite recent interest rate cuts, a majority of voters (52%) still favor firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
—Real-World Financial Experience Matters: Half of voters report having $5,000 or more in savings or investments.
Among these voters, 55% say their savings have increased over the past six months, while just 16% say they have declined.
Even among left-wing media viewers, 60% report gains. Bank statements don’t lie—even when headlines do.
The conclusion is unavoidable: when voters are given accurate information, attitudes shift quickly and decisively.
The problem is not the facts.
The problem is whether voters are allowed to see them.
Winning the 2026 midterms will require President Trump and Republicans to speak directly to the American people — bypassing hostile media filters, repeating clear economic facts, and relentlessly contrasting results with Democratic misinformation.
This means more Presidential rallies, more media blitzkriegs and more focus on social media.
President Trump has the truth is on his side.
The new strategy must ensure voters actually hear it.
Why won’t the left-wing media report the facts?
And what matters more to them — the truth or the outcome of the next election?
No matter, an informed public will side with President Trump and the GOP.
(See also: www.McLaughlinonline.com)
John McLaughlin has worked professionally as a strategic consultant and pollster for over 40 years. Jim McLaughlin is a nationally recognized public opinion expert, strategic consultant and political strategist who has helped to elect a U.S. president, prime ministers, a Senate majority leader, and a speaker of the House. Read John and Jim McLaughlin's Reports — More Here.
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