When voters are allowed to see the facts that the leftist, legacy media are denying them, their economic outlook brightens significantly, results of a new McLaughlin & Associates study reveals.
In a nationally-televised address to the nation last week (Wednesday, Dec. 17), President Donald Trump described the ways in which the U.S. economy has improved under his administration. In response, left-wing media attacked Trump in an effort to dupe their viewers into believing that the economy is worsening.
Even during his speech, the media took steps to prevent viewers from seeing the facts Pres. Trump was presenting, as partners John and Jim McLaughlin noted Wednesday in an analysis of the results of their latest study:
“During the President's address, several liberal, anti-Trump networks chose to censor or obscure the White House's visual graphs — graphs which clearly documented improvements in wage growth versus inflation, gas prices, manufacturing, and tax refunds.
“This was not a subtle editorial decision; it was a deliberate act of information suppression.”
“It's illustrative of precisely why moving public opinion remains difficult even when the facts are on the president's side,” they write, providing examples of how destructively influential media bias can be.
The graphics documented price increases for various products during the Biden administration, compared to decreases in their costs since Trump entered the White House, and showed how “real” (inflation-adjusted) wages fell during his predecessor’s term and have risen during Trump’s (see graphics below).
In their national survey, conducted December 15-19, 56% of U.S. voters surveyed said they believe the economy is getting worse, while just 37% perceived it as improving
But, “facts change minds,” they report:
“When voters are presented with factual information—that the economy is growing, inflation is declining, wages are rising faster than prices, consumer spending is up, unemployment is low, interest rates are being cut, business investment is rising, and federal taxes are being cut — public opinion shifts dramatically.”
Indeed, once voters were informed of the facts, the numbers flipped. The percent who said the economy is improving jumped 25 points, from 37% to 62%, while pessimism plummeted from 56% to 33%.
Even a 56% majority of viewers who rely on left-wing media for their news agreed the economy is improving, once they reviewed the facts.
“This explains why legacy media outlets chose to censor the President’s graphs,” the pollsters say.
Likewise, “Most voters do not yet view President Trump's ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBBA) as a tax cut,” they note, reporting that about the same share of viewers (four in 10) believe it is a spending bill as think it lowers taxes.
The media-driven misperception among voters weakens support for the new tax act even though, as the IRS explains, it:
- Lowered individual income tax rates.
- Increased the standard deduction.
- Extended tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year.
- Eliminated tax on tips and overtime pay.
- Made interest on car loans deductible.
- Increased the deduction for seniors.
“The conclusion is unavoidable, the pollsters say:
“When voters are given accurate information, attitudes shift quickly and decisively.”
To overcome the media bias, they write, Trump and his fellow Republicans must find ways to bypass hostile media filters – such as utilizing social media and holding rallies – and constantly counter fake news with documented facts.
Graphics from Pres. Trump’s address to the nation are presented below, followed by video of his full speech. Read the complete analysis by John and Jim McLaughlin here.
The business and economic reporting of CNSNews is funded in part with a gift made in memory of Dr. Keith C. Wold.
