Background and Context
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has a history of contentious relationships with media outlets. Among them, the New York Times has been a frequent target of his criticism and legal threats. Trump’s recent actions highlight the ongoing tension between the former president and this influential newspaper.
Trump’s Threat Against the New York Times
On a recent Thursday, Trump threatened to include an unfavorable poll published by the New York Times in his ongoing multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the newspaper, which he accuses of animosity. Trump described certain polls he deems “false and fraudulent” as “virtually a criminal offense.”
The Siena Times Poll and Trump’s Reaction
Trump specifically mentioned the Siena Times poll, which he claims is “tremendously negative” towards him, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 election where he won by a landslide margin. He stated on his Truth Social platform:
“The Siena Times poll, which is always so negative towards me, especially right before the 2024 election when I won by a crushing margin, will be added to my lawsuit against the failing New York Times.”
The poll in question indicates that only 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance after one year in power. Trump has demanded that the New York Times preserve all records and methods used to compute these allegedly false results, holding them accountable for their “lies and misconduct.”
Trump’s Legal History with the New York Times
In September 2025, Trump filed a $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times for defamation, which was dismissed by a Florida judge. He refiled the suit a month later with stylistic corrections, as per the judge’s request.
The lawsuit claims that the newspaper’s statements “diffame and erroneously diminish” Trump’s hard-earned professional reputation, which he built over decades before entering the White House.
Content and Impact of the Siena Times Poll
The Siena Times poll, along with other surveys, paints a critical picture of Trump’s first year in office, primarily due to economic concerns. According to the poll:
- 49% of respondents believe the country is in worse shape since Trump took office.
- 32% believe it’s in better shape.
Trump’s border policy receives mixed reviews, with 50% of respondents considering it good and 46% disapproving.
This poll mirrors a similar one conducted by the Siena Institute and the New York Times following Joe Biden’s first year in office. In January 2022, 57% of Americans believed the country was heading in the wrong direction, while only 31% were optimistic. At that time, 52% held a favorable opinion of Joe Biden, compared to 42% who had an unfavorable view.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue between Trump and the New York Times? The central conflict revolves around Trump’s accusations of animosity and false reporting by the New York Times, leading to his multimillion-dollar lawsuit.
- What specific poll sparked Trump’s recent threat? The Siena Times poll, which Trump claims is unfairly negative towards him and will be added to his ongoing lawsuit against the New York Times.
- What are the key findings of the Siena Times poll? The poll indicates that 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance after one year in office, with 49% believing the country is worse off since his presidency began.
- How does the Siena Times poll compare to a similar poll during Joe Biden’s first year? Both polls reflect pessimism about the country’s direction, with 57% expressing negative sentiments under Biden compared to 49% under Trump. However, Biden had a higher favorability rating (52%) compared to Trump’s (40%) in their respective first-year polls.
