Anchor Stuart Varney pointed to rising prices and renewed attention to Epstein-related files after a new national poll showed President Trump’s approval around 38–39%, down nine points. Rep. Byron Donalds said he isn’t overly worried and argued that affordability measures passed in July — including tax relief on tips and overtime and near-100% expensing for investments — will start easing financial pressure. Varney pushed back on the idea that a recent funding clash was a Democratic victory, questioning how such episodes affect public opinion.
Anchor Cites Prices and 'Epstein Files' for Trump's Lowest Approval as Rep. Donalds Defends Affordability Plan
Anchor Stuart Varney pointed to rising prices and renewed attention to Epstein-related files after a new national poll showed President Trump’s approval around 38–39%, down nine points. Rep. Byron Donalds said he isn’t overly worried and argued that affordability measures passed in July — including tax relief on tips and overtime and near-100% expensing for investments — will start easing financial pressure. Varney pushed back on the idea that a recent funding clash was a Democratic victory, questioning how such episodes affect public opinion.
11:44 PM, 11/19/2025Politics
Anchor Stuart Varney highlighted a new national poll showing President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to roughly 38–39%, a decline of about nine points since his inauguration. Varney attributed the slide to concerns about rising prices and renewed attention to the Epstein-related files.
Varney raised the poll when speaking with Republican Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, asking whether the numbers mean the administration’s affordability messaging has yet to land with voters.
“I’m not too concerned about that right now,” Donalds replied. “The president is focused on affordability. We are responding on Capitol Hill to undo the damage from years of high inflation, and the policies we passed in July will begin to feed into the economy.”
Donalds detailed several measures he said will leave more money with households and businesses: eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, expanding near-100% expensing for business investments, and other steps intended to increase take-home pay and boost investment.
Varney also pushed back on interpretations of a recent funding clash, saying he was “really surprised” it was viewed as a Democratic win. He characterized the episode as misconstrued and pressed Donalds on how the messaging around affordability and fiscal fights will play politically.
The exchange focused on whether short-term headlines — from economic pain points like prices to high-profile legal-related revelations — are shaping public perception, and whether legislative measures will be visible enough soon to reverse that trend.