Countdown with Keith Olbermann: "TRUMP IS LOSING ONE APPROVAL POINT EVERY FIVE DAYS - 5.1.25"

Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Keith Olbermann
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
Description:
In this episode of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," Olbermann delves deep into the rapidly declining approval ratings of former President Donald Trump. Analyzing comprehensive polling data, historical comparisons, and the implications for upcoming elections, Olbermann provides a critical examination of Trump's political trajectory and its potential impact on the American political landscape.

1. Rapid Decline in Trump's Approval Ratings

Key Points:

• Historical Context: Trump has experienced the steepest decline in approval ratings in American history, as calculated by Elliot Morris of FiveThirtyEight.com.
• Approval Metrics: Starting his presidency with a net approval of +9, Trump has plummeted to -10 within just 102 days—a negative record surpassed only by Gerald Ford.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (02:03): “Trump is the most worst president of all time. Only Gerald Ford is even in his league.”
• Olbermann (04:15): “He’s losing an average of one approval point every five days. By early August, he could be at net minus 30.”

2. Comparison with Past Presidents

Key Points:

• Ford vs. Trump: While Gerald Ford also experienced a decline, he maintained a net positive rating at day 100, unlike Trump.
• Other Presidents: Carter had a net plus of +55, George W. Bush +27, highlighting Trump's unprecedented negative trajectory.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (03:30): “Carter was a net plus 55, George W. Bush a net plus 27. Trump is sitting at a net minus 10.”

3. Policy Areas Underperforming

Key Points:

• Economic Indicators:
  • Stock Market Impact: Trump has allegedly wasted 7% of the stock market’s value.
  • GDP Decline: The GDP has shrunk by 3.10 points under Trump’s administration.
• Specific Policies:
  • Inflation: Trump is 26 points underwater on his inflation handling.
  • Tariffs and Trade: A significant 20-point slump in tariff-related policies.
  • Foreign Policy and Immigration: Substantial declines in approval related to foreign policy (-14) and immigration (-1).

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (02:50): “Trump is losing more points on the economy than he wasted on the stock market.”
• Olbermann (05:00): “He is 26 points underwater on inflation.”

4. Implications for the 2025 Elections

Key Points:

• Democratic Advantage: With Trump’s approval ratings plummeting, Democrats are poised to leverage this momentum for significant gains in the upcoming elections.
• Potential Landslide: If Democrats capitalize on current polling trends, they could secure a landslide victory in both congressional and Senate races.
• Strategic Positioning: Democrats can run on issues of freedom, democracy, and opposition to Trump’s policies, uniting voters against a widely disfavored incumbent.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (06:30): “Democrats are set to take advantage of this polling opportunity to secure a landslide next year.”
• Olbermann (07:15): “Run on every kitchen table issue you want and against Trump in the same sentence.”

5. Republican Challenges and Internal Polling

Key Points:

• Internal Struggles: Republican polls indicate a 46% approval and 53% disapproval of Trump’s performance, aligning with broader public sentiment.
• Leadership Issues: NRCC Chair Richard Hudson acknowledged Trump's declining support, revealing deep fractures within the Republican base.
• Potential for Further Decline: Internal polling suggests the Republican brand might suffer even more than publicly reported, exacerbating challenges in winnable districts and Senate seats.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (08:45): “The Republican internal polling may be even worse than what is mathematically possible.”
• Olbermann (10:00): “Trump is seven points underwater in vulnerable House seats, threatening Democratic control.”

6. Trump’s Response and Media Relations

Key Points:

• Media Manipulation: Trump's administration has been criticized for misleading communications with media outlets like Fox News, perpetuating false narratives about his approval ratings.
• Public Outrage: Olbermann highlights instances where Trump’s false statements, such as claiming he can instantly resolve immigration cases, have backfired, further diminishing his credibility.
• Contradictions and Misstatements: Trump's inconsistent statements, especially during interviews, have led to significant losses in public trust.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (12:30): “He raged before the Fox News poll, which not only showed how far he was underwater personally but also measured how close the individual sharks are to him.”
• Olbermann (13:15): “Trump just assumed the ABC interviewer would join him in lying about the man he had abducted, further showcasing his detachment from reality.”

7. Specific Scandals and Controversies

Key Points:

• Abduction and Human Trafficking Scams: Olbermann discusses the Trump administration’s involvement in dubious abduction cases, highlighting failures to deliver on promises to release detainees.
• Ethics Complaints: Cases like Republican Congressman Tom Emmer filing ethics complaints against Democratic counterparts underscore the dysfunctional political environment.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (14:50): “Trump’s administration is involved in a scandal of abduction and human trafficking, undermining the very fabric of American justice.”
• Olbermann (16:20): “Ethics complaints filed by Emmer against Angie Craig reveal the corrupt practices undermining trust in our institutions.”

8. The Role of Media and Public Perception

Key Points:

• Media Bias and Fake News: Olbermann criticizes the media’s role in perpetuating false narratives, specifically targeting Fox News for misleading Trump about his public approval.
• Public Deception: The administration’s efforts to lie about policy successes and mask failures have only accelerated Trump’s decline in popularity.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (18:00): “The media, especially Fox News, are lying to Trump, fueling his rage and further alienating the public.”
• Olbermann (19:10): “The dispelling of the notion that he might be okay this fast is a record.”

9. Future Projections and Final Thoughts

Key Points:

• Continued Decline: If current trends continue, Trump’s approval could reach historic lows by August, severely crippling his political influence.
• Democratic Opportunities: The Democrats have a unique window to capitalize on Trump’s unpopularity, potentially reshaping the political landscape.
• Call to Action: Olbermann urges listeners to support Democratic candidates and push for a presidential recall vote to expedite Trump’s removal from political power.

Notable Quotes:

• Olbermann (21:50): “If Trump continues to lose one approval point every five days, by early August, he could be at a net minus 30.”
• Olbermann (23:00): “Impeach Trump. It won't work now, but a presidential recall vote could be the necessary push.”

Conclusion

In this incisive episode, Keith Olbermann presents a comprehensive analysis of Donald Trump's precipitous decline in approval ratings, drawing connections between policy failures, media manipulation, and internal Republican struggles. By contextualizing Trump’s trajectory within historical presidential performance and projecting the potential outcomes for the 2025 elections, Olbermann emphasizes the critical juncture at which American politics stands. The episode serves as both a detailed critique of Trump’s administration and a strategic guide for Democratic efforts to reclaim political dominance.

Notable Clips:

• 02:03 Keith Olbermann introduces the unprecedented decline in Trump’s approval ratings.
• 12:30 Discussion on Trump’s misleading media interactions.
• 21:50 Olbermann projects Trump’s approval to hit a net minus 30 by August.

For More Information:
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