On Friday, President Donald Trump, in a ceremony at the White House, declared his latest domestic policy bill as “the most popular bill ever signed in the history of our country.” This bold assertion stands in stark contrast to numerous polls indicating widespread public disapproval of the legislation.
According to a mid-June Fox News poll, 59% of registered voters opposed the bill, with only 38% in favor. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted later that month reflected similar sentiments, with 55% of respondents opposing the bill and just 29% supporting it. A Pew Research Center poll from early June revealed that 49% of adults were against the bill, while 29% supported it, leaving 21% undecided.
Contradictory Claims and Public Opinion
The announcement comes as Trump continues to promote his legislative agenda, often clashing with public sentiment. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten remarked on air,
“You just never see numbers this poor. I have been trying to look through the history books to find if there was another piece of legislation that was on the verge of passing that was as unpopular as this one, and…I cannot find one.”
CNN senior reporter Aaron Blake noted that the polling figures rendered the bill “more unpopular than any piece of major legislation passed since at least 1990,” based on analysis by George Washington University political science professor Chris Warshaw.
Data journalist G. Elliott Morris, in an analysis published before Trump’s remarks, summarized the polling data:
“On average across pollsters and methods, 31% of Americans support the One Big Beautiful Bill, while 54% oppose it. That net rating of -23 is, to put it mildly, absolutely abysmal.”
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
Historically, legislative popularity can shift post-enactment as citizens begin to experience the effects of the policies. This was notably the case with the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, which gained favor over time. However, if Trump has access to private polling data that supports his claims, he has yet to disclose it publicly.
Meanwhile, Trump made additional claims during his White House address that have been met with skepticism. He asserted that the bill eliminates taxes on Social Security for seniors, a statement that is misleading. The bill introduces a temporary additional tax deduction for seniors, but it does not fully eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.
Immigration Numbers and Misstatements
Trump also reiterated a frequently made false claim regarding immigration, stating that President Joe Biden allowed 21 million migrants into the country. Official records show that under Biden’s administration, there were fewer than 11 million “encounters” with migrants, including those who were swiftly expelled. Even when accounting for undetected entries, the numbers do not approach the 21 million figure cited by Trump.
The move represents a continuation of Trump’s strategy to bolster his legislative achievements despite conflicting evidence. As the debate over the bill’s popularity continues, the White House has yet to provide concrete evidence supporting Trump’s assertions.
As the bill progresses, its true impact on American society remains to be seen. The president’s claims may influence public perception, but the data suggests a challenging road ahead for gaining widespread approval.
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