Former MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews delivered a stark assessment of President Donald Trump’s political standing during a recent appearance on “A Charlie Rose Global Conversation,” asserting that despite polling data showing declining approval ratings, the country continues to gravitate toward the former president.
Speaking with journalist Charlie Rose on Saturday, Matthews directly challenged recent polling numbers that show Trump’s approval ratings hovering in the low 40s. “To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump!” Matthews declared, dismissing the validity of polls from major outlets.
The liberal television host, who left MSNBC in March 2020, pointed to recent polling data that shows Trump’s approval rating at 37 percent according to Gallup, while CNN polling placed the figure at 41 percent. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in July similarly showed Trump’s approval ratings at just 40 percent, lower than other recent presidents during the start of their second terms.
Matthews characterized Trump as possessing superior political strength compared to Democratic leadership, noting that while former President Barack Obama maintains tremendous charisma, Trump demonstrates a different quality that resonates with voters. He emphasized that Americans seek a president who projects strength as a public figure, suggesting Trump fulfills this role more effectively than his Democratic counterparts.
The former cable news host praised Trump’s ability to connect with Americans on a cultural level, describing his intuitive understanding of public concerns and insecurities. Matthews suggested Trump possesses an almost predatory awareness of people’s weaknesses, comparing him to someone who would excel as a schoolyard bully because of his keen perception of others’ vulnerabilities.
Matthews highlighted Trump’s responsiveness to current events and cultural moments, contrasting this with what he sees as the limitations of other political figures. He indicated that former President Joe Biden and former Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale lack the same connection to the cultural electricity happening across the country, suggesting they cannot match Trump’s awareness of what resonates with the public.
The assessment comes as Trump maintains strong support within his Republican base, despite recent controversies. According to CNN polling, 88 percent of Republican voters continue to back the president, while Quinnipiac polling places that figure as high as 90 percent.
Trump recently addressed his polling numbers on Truth Social, claiming his support within the Republican Party and MAGA movement has increased significantly since what he termed the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax” was exposed. The president boasted that his poll numbers have reached 90, 92, 93, and 95 percent in various surveys, describing these as Republican Party records.
Matthews’ comments represent a notable perspective from someone who spent decades covering politics from a liberal viewpoint. His show “Hardball with Chris Matthews” ran for 26 years across three networks, beginning on America’s Talking channel in 1994 before moving to CNBC and finally MSNBC, where it became a staple of the evening lineup.
The veteran journalist departed MSNBC in March 2020 following complaints about his interactions with guests and staff members. During his final broadcast, Matthews acknowledged that workplace standards had evolved and apologized for past comments about women’s appearances that he recognized were inappropriate.
This is not the first time Matthews has offered praise for Trump since leaving MSNBC. In April, the former host supported the president’s approach to handling Harvard University amid allegations that the Ivy League institution allowed antisemitism to flourish on campus. Matthews described Trump and his administration as smart for targeting the college’s grant funding, suggesting it sent an appropriate message during a period of elevated antisemitic incidents.
Matthews has since revived his “Hardball” brand on the subscription platform Substack, joining other former television news personalities who have launched independent media ventures. The platform has experienced significant growth, with co-founder Hamish McKenzie attributing increased subscriptions to political volatility and departures of established media figures from traditional outlets.
The former host’s assessment of Trump’s political position stands in contrast to conventional wisdom about presidential approval ratings and their correlation with electoral success. His comments suggest a disconnect between traditional polling methodologies and actual public sentiment, particularly regarding Trump’s cultural influence and political durability.
