President Trump now polls more favorably than his most vocal critics—including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, AOC, and late-night host Stephen Colbert—delivering a stunning rebuke to the left’s relentless attacks and media mockery.
Story Snapshot
- NBC poll shows Trump’s favorability ratings exceed those of Harris, Newsom, AOC, and Stephen Colbert
- Trump maintains 43% approval floor despite media attacks and Democratic opposition
- Poll reveals Americans rejecting woke critics and anti-Trump entertainment propaganda
- Results demonstrate resilience of conservative base amid broader political headwinds
Trump Outpaces Democratic Presidential Hopefuls
President Donald Trump’s favorability ratings surpassed those of former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez according to an NBC poll released in March 2026. The findings deliver a significant blow to Democratic figures positioning themselves as Trump alternatives. Harris, who served as Biden’s vice president, trails Trump despite her national profile. Newsom, frequently mentioned as a 2028 presidential contender, also falls short with 24% of voters remaining undecided about him. The poll underscores Trump’s enduring connection with Americans who rejected leftist leadership during Biden’s administration.
Polling Shock: Trump More Popular Than Harris, Newsom, AOC, and Late-Night Host Colberthttps://t.co/125Xg0b8dg
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) March 9, 2026
Trump’s relative popularity persists even as Emerson College polling from February 2026 showed his overall approval at 43% with 55% disapproval. This net negative rating reflects policy debates and media coverage patterns typical of presidential administrations. However, the comparative NBC data reveals something crucial: Americans view Trump more favorably than the Democrats and media personalities who spent years attacking him. This distinction matters for conservatives frustrated by constant negative coverage. The president maintains a solid floor of support that exceeds the favorability of those claiming moral superiority over his policies and voters.
Late-Night Propagandist Trails President in Public Opinion
Stephen Colbert, CBS “Late Show” host and one of Trump’s fiercest media critics, also registers lower favorability than the president according to the NBC poll. Colbert built his late-night persona on relentless anti-Trump mockery and political attacks, positioning himself as a voice against conservative values. His lower rating exposes the disconnect between coastal entertainment elites and mainstream Americans. For years, conservatives endured Colbert’s condescending lectures and partisan propaganda disguised as comedy. This polling data confirms what Trump supporters instinctively knew: Americans see through the bias and reject the messenger along with his message of Trump hatred.
The poll results challenge the influence of legacy media figures who dominated cultural conversations during Trump’s first term and Biden’s presidency. Colbert and similar hosts weaponized their platforms to attack conservative policies, mock traditional values, and dismiss concerns about illegal immigration, inflation, and government overreach. Their audiences skew heavily Democratic and urban, creating echo chambers disconnected from working-class Americans. Trump’s favorable edge over Colbert demonstrates that entertainment industry propaganda failed to sway public opinion. Conservatives who weathered years of media scorn now see validation: their president remains more popular than those who ridiculed them nightly.
Poll Reveals Limits of Anti-Trump Opposition Strategy
The NBC favorability findings arrive as Republicans face challenges heading into 2026 midterms, with Democrats leading generic ballot polling 50-42% and capturing independents 50-37%. Emerson College data shows Trump’s approval declining among Hispanics, with 58% disapproving versus 37% approving. These broader trends create concern for Republican candidates. However, Trump’s comparative advantage over high-profile Democrats and media figures provides critical context. The president’s opponents spent enormous political capital attacking him personally rather than offering compelling alternatives. Americans may express reservations about Trump in isolation but still prefer him to the alternatives Democrats present.
Emerson polling director Matt Taglia characterized Trump’s 43% approval as a “floor,” suggesting limited downward movement despite negative news cycles. This resilience frustrates Democrats who expected Trump’s popularity to collapse under sustained opposition. The favorability comparisons reveal why: Harris, Newsom, AOC, and Colbert represent everything voters rejected when they elected Trump in 2024. Harris championed failed Biden policies. Newsom governs California’s exodus-inducing dysfunction. AOC embodies socialist overreach. Colbert personifies media arrogance. Trump’s edge over these figures signals Americans remember the contrast between conservative governance and leftist alternatives, regardless of daily controversies.
Sources:
Poll: Trump More Popular Than Stephen Colbert, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, AOC
