US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would pursue legal action against The New York Times following the release of an opinion poll that reflected a drop in his public approval. The Times/Siena University survey placed his approval rating at 40 percent, echoing similar polls that suggest waning support during the second year of his current term.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the newspaper would be added to an ongoing lawsuit, accusing it of spreading “radical left lies” and wrongdoing. He further argued that what he described as “fake and fraudulent” polls should be considered close to a criminal offense.
Trump has previously filed several defamation lawsuits against major media outlets, including the BBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, CBS and ABC, with some cases reportedly ending in multi-million-dollar settlements.
In September 2025, he launched a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging the paper published false reports aimed at damaging his 2024 presidential campaign and personal reputation. That case was initially dismissed by a federal judge before being refiled in amended form the following month. The newspaper responded by saying the lawsuit was an effort to suppress independent journalism and intimidate the press.
The latest Times/Siena poll drew attention for suggesting that Trump’s 2024 election coalition is beginning to break apart. According to the survey, support from younger and non-white voters has declined, leaving his backing largely concentrated among older and white voters. The poll also indicated dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and his strict, security-focused approach to illegal immigration.
Times/Siena is widely regarded as one of the most respected and reliable political polling organizations in the United States.
