A striking new CBS News poll has revealed that Donald Trump faces a communication crisis strikingly similar to the one that plagued Joe Biden's presidency, with growing numbers of Americans viewing the former president's proclamations as increasingly detached from reality.
Economic Claims Fall Flat With Voters
The survey, conducted in November 2025, found that six in ten Americans believe Trump makes economic conditions sound "better than they really are" when discussing consumer prices and inflation. The president receives underwater marks for his handling of these issues, with 65% of respondents specifically attributing rising grocery costs to Trump's own policies.
This represents a significant credibility gap for the administration, particularly as Trump continues to falsely proclaim that inflation is practically nonexistent and grocery prices are declining. The polling suggests his insistence that tariffs are making America wealthier is failing to resonate with the public, who continue to feel the pinch of rising energy and food costs.
Epstein Controversy and Foreign Policy Challenges
Beyond economic concerns, the Trump administration faces mounting pressure over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. The poll revealed that 55% of Americans consider releasing the full Epstein files "very important", directly contradicting Trump's demands that his supporters drop the issue.
The controversy intensified in July when Trump's attorney general reversed course on making the files public, despite years of speculation stoked by allies including Vice President JD Vance and Kash Patel. The abrupt U-turn was particularly notable given the White House's earlier engagement with conservative influencers, whom Pam Bondi summoned to receive binders titled "Epstein Files: Phase one".
On the international stage, Trump's foreign policy initiatives appear equally troubled. His efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire are crumbling rapidly, while attempts to force Russia into peace negotiations with Ukraine have yielded little progress. Volodymyr Zelensky remains unwilling to accept the significant concessions demanded by Moscow.
Venezuela Military Action Faces Public Opposition
Perhaps most alarming for the administration is public sentiment regarding potential military action in Venezuela. As Trump escalates strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea allegedly ferrying drugs and builds up forces in the region, 70% of Americans oppose military action against Nicolas Maduro's government.
An even larger majority - 76% - say Trump hasn't clearly stated his position on the conflict with Maduro, whom the US government has designated a cartel leader. This communication failure risks plunging the nation into a military engagement opposed by voters across the political spectrum, despite slim majority support for the ongoing campaign against suspected drug smugglers.
The polling data suggests Trump's challenges are largely self-inflicted. Unlike Biden, who inherited an economy emerging from COVID lockdowns and an Afghanistan withdrawal process initiated by Trump, the current administration's difficulties stem primarily from its own trade policies and handling of controversies like the Epstein files.
With nearly a year until the next major electoral test and Democrats positioned to potentially reclaim congressional chambers, Trump faces a critical period to address his credibility gap. Recent reporting indicates the administration may be plotting legislation to address impending Affordable Care Act price hikes, suggesting lessons may have been learned from Republican defeats in Virginia, New Jersey and Georgia earlier this month.
