The Don Lemon Show
The Don Lemon Show
April 24, 2026

Lemon LIVE at 5 | Donald Trump's Approval Ratings Drop as Crisis Grows!

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Quick Read

Don Lemon argues that Donald Trump's approval ratings are historically low, driven by economic failures and an "unjustified" war in Iran, leading to widespread public and even former supporter disillusionment.
Trump's job approval is at an all-time low, with some polls showing 33% approval and 56% of voters questioning his mental fitness.
Independent voters have "cratered" on Trump, with only 19% approving his economic handling and 12% on cost of living.
The host and guests condemn the "unjustified" war in Iran, citing civilian casualties and questioning the military's involvement in illegal orders.

Summary

Don Lemon opens by highlighting Donald Trump's historically low approval ratings, citing polls from the New York Times, ABC, and even Fox News, which show significant disapproval of his job performance, mental fitness, and handling of the economy and immigration. He features clips from Axios's Jim Vanderhei and Megan Kelly, who both describe Trump's political standing as dire, particularly among independent voters and on economic issues. Lemon expresses schadenfreude, asserting that voters who supported Trump are now facing the consequences of his policies, especially a "war of choice" in Iran that has led to civilian casualties. Guests from the "Lemon Legends" community echo these sentiments, criticizing media for not holding power accountable, questioning the country's direction, and emphasizing the human cost of the Iran conflict. The discussion repeatedly circles back to the idea that Trump's actions, particularly regarding the economy and the war, are making him the "worst American president in history."
This episode matters because it provides a strong, opinionated critique of Donald Trump's presidency, using recent polling data to argue his historic unpopularity. It highlights the perceived failures in economic policy and the ethical implications of military actions in Iran, framing these issues as direct consequences of his leadership. The discussion with community members underscores a growing public disillusionment and calls for greater accountability from politicians and media.

Takeaways

  • Donald Trump's approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows across multiple polls, with significant disapproval of his overall performance, mental fitness, and handling of the economy.
  • Independent voters show extreme disapproval of Trump's economic policies (19% approval) and his handling of the cost of living (12% approval), indicating a major loss of support.
  • The host and guests vehemently criticize the "war of choice" in Iran, citing authenticated videos of hospital bombings and civilian deaths, framing it as an "unjustified" and "illegal" conflict.
  • There is a strong sentiment among the host and guests that those who supported Trump are now experiencing the negative consequences of his policies, particularly regarding the economy and international conflicts.
  • Concerns are raised about the media's failure to hold politicians accountable and Congress's inaction in challenging the current administration's decisions.

Insights

1Donald Trump's Approval Ratings Reach Historic Lows

Multiple polls indicate that Donald Trump's job approval and net approval ratings have fallen to the lowest point of his second term, surpassing even those of historically unpopular presidents like Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter at similar points in their terms.

New York Times polling shows 58% disapproval and 39% approval. An ABC poll places his job approval at 33%. A Fox News poll indicates 56% of voters believe he is not mentally fit. Harry Inter's analysis shows Trump at minus 32 net approval points, worse than Biden (-25), Bush (-25), and Carter (-22).

2Economic and Immigration Policies Fuel Independent Voter Disapproval

Independent voters, crucial for electoral success, have shown catastrophic levels of disapproval for Trump's handling of key issues like the economy, immigration, and the cost of living, which significantly predated the "Iran war."

Megan Kelly's analysis of cross-tab polls shows only 23% of independents approve of Trump's overall performance, 30% on immigration, 19% on the economy, and a mere 12% on the cost of living.

3"War of Choice" in Iran Leads to Civilian Casualties and Ethical Questions

The current administration's military actions in Iran, described as an "unjustified" and "illegal" "war of choice," have resulted in the bombing of hospitals, maternity wards, and schools, causing significant civilian casualties, including babies and schoolgirls.

Authenticated ABC News surveillance video shows scenes at multiple Iranian hospitals during US-Israeli strikes, including a nurse rescuing a newborn. The host mentions 145 school girls killed. Pete Hexath from the administration describes "Operation Epic Fury" as a "gift to the world."

4Media and Congressional Accountability Deficiencies

The host and guests express frustration with mainstream media for failing to conduct rigorous follow-ups and hold politicians accountable, and with Congress for not challenging the executive branch's actions, particularly regarding the war and immigration policies.

Jen criticizes legacy media for seeking "access" over accountability. Kev questions if the country is "worth fighting for" due to inaction. Jen Griffin faults media for not asking "appropriate questions" or following up. Lori questions why Congress allows the president to "do whatever he wants."

Lessons

  • Engage with your elected representatives and demand accountability for their actions and inactions, particularly regarding foreign policy and domestic issues like immigration detention.
  • Support independent media and journalists who prioritize rigorous questioning and follow-up over "access" to power, helping to counteract perceived mainstream media deficiencies.
  • Stay informed about current events, especially those impacting vulnerable populations, and actively participate in community discussions to foster collective action and awareness.

Quotes

"

"Donald J. Trump is currently poised to become the worst president of the United States of America in American history."

Don Lemon
"

"When you lose Fox News and you are a conservative or a Republican, you're in deep, deep dudoo."

Don Lemon
"

"They know they're in a huge hole and it's going to be really, really hard to get out of it. They don't even really defend it anymore."

Jim Vanderhigh
"

"You cannot win elections like that. Democrat or Republican, you got 80% of the independents against you. You're effed. You need to adjust something ASAP."

Megan Kelly
"

"This is who America is right now. This is who Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have turned us into. A country that bombs babies."

Don Lemon
"

"We're not hobnobbing with the enemy. First off, it's just the level of capitulation. I don't understand it. I don't understand America in general. And I'm questioning if the country is even worth fighting for at this point because no one is stepping up and doing anything."

Kev
"

"How is bombing hospitals, people, and babies, what does that have to do with nuclear weapons? That that uh this war is illegal and I thought that the military are supposed to uh ignore illegal orders. Isn't this illegal to drop a bomb on babies?"

Marley

Q&A

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