Donald Trump is obsessed with his own ratings, but his address on the war in Afghanistan drew half as many viewers as a similar address that President Obama gave in 2009.
Variety reported, “President Donald Trump’s address to the nation on the war in Afghanistan drew an estimated 17.5 million viewers across the Big 4 broadcast networks on Monday, according to Nielsen overnight data. Airing from 9 p.m. until approximately 9:30, Trump’s speech drew a 1.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 6.2 million viewers on NBC. On ABC, the speech averaged a 1.2 and 4.7 million viewers. CBS was next with a 0.7 and 4.1 million. Fox drew a 0.6 and 2.5 million. Final numbers, as well as cable news ratings for the speech, will be available later today.”
Obama drew 40 million viewers for his first national address on Afghanistan in 2009.
While there is some truth to the statement that the TV market has changed since 2009, the reality is that Trump lost 8 million viewers since his first address to Congress in January. Trump simply isn’t big ratings and hasn’t been since the Republican primaries. Logically, it makes sense. Trump’s approval rating is between 34% and 37%. his base of support seems to be weakening by the day, and only the core of the Republican Party is solidly behind Trump.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
The message in these ratings, unless the cable numbers are monstrous, is that the American people are increasingly tuning out Trump. Trump is turning the presidential bully pulpit into a tin can with a string attached.
Trump has been described as obsessed with Obama, perhaps because Obama was the president that Trump could never be. Obama was admired, respected, and taken seriously. Trump is distrusted, mocked, and scorned.
The American people are voting with their TV remotes until they can go to the polls and make their voices loudly heard.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
