Former MSNBC host Chris Matthews delivered a striking assessment of President Donald Trump’s political standing during a Saturday, July 26, appearance on Charlie Rose’s show, arguing that the country is gravitating toward Trump despite recent polls showing declining approval ratings.
Matthews, who hosted “Hardball” on MSNBC from 1999 to 2020, expressed skepticism about recent polling data during his appearance on “A Charlie Rose Global Conversation.” He dismissed polls from Gallup and CNN that showed Trump’s approval ratings at 37 percent and 41 percent, respectively, both near his all-time low following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
“To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump,” Matthews told Rose on Saturday. The former cable news host indicated that he does not believe the polls accurately reflect Trump’s actual support among Americans. Matthews explicitly questioned the polls and said, “I don’t buy that.”
The liberal political commentator argued that Trump maintains a significant advantage over Democratic opponents in terms of public presence and political strength. Matthews suggested that Trump possesses a unique ability to project strength that resonates with voters, comparing it favorably to former President Barack Obama’s charisma. He noted that Trump’s strength remains greater than Democratic strength and that approximately half the country accepts this perception.
Matthews praised Trump’s political instincts and cultural awareness, describing the president’s ability to understand public concerns and insecurities. He characterized Trump as exceptionally skilled at reading the national mood and staying connected to cultural developments across the country. The former MSNBC host suggested that Trump possesses an instantaneous understanding of political timing that other politicians lack.
The commentary comes as multiple polling organizations have documented declining approval ratings for Trump during his second term. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in July placed Trump’s approval at 40 percent, lower than typical ratings for recent presidents at the start of their second terms.
However, Trump maintains strong support within his Republican base, with CNN polling showing 88 percent of GOP voters still backing the president. Quinnipiac polling places that figure as high as 90 percent, representing a slight increase from previous surveys. Trump recently highlighted these numbers on Truth Social, claiming his Republican Party poll numbers have increased significantly amid scrutiny over his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Matthews’ Saturday remarks represent a continuation of his occasional praise for Trump since leaving MSNBC in 2020. Earlier this year, the former host commended the president’s approach to addressing antisemitism issues at Harvard University, describing the administration’s decision to target the institution’s grant funding as smart policy that sent an appropriate message to the country.
The former “Hardball” host departed MSNBC in March 2020 following complaints about inappropriate comments he made to guests and staff members. During his final broadcast, Matthews apologized for past comments about women’s appearances that he acknowledged were never appropriate. His departure came after journalist Laura Bassett alleged that Matthews had inappropriately flirted with her before a 2016 interview.
Matthews has since revived his “Hardball” program on the subscription platform Substack, joining other former television news personalities who have launched independent content on the platform. The 79-year-old journalist announced his return in April, promising weekly episodes on Mondays at noon.
Matthews has authored six books, including “Hardball,” “Kennedy & Nixon,” and “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero.” His analysis of Trump’s political standing reflects his decades of experience covering American politics and assessing public sentiment toward political figures.
