# Melania Says Trump 'Doing His Best' Amid Record-Low Approval

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/melania-says-trump-doing-his-best-amid-record-low-approval
- Published: 2026-09-24T13:08:19.651633+00:00
- Topics: melania-trump, donald-trump-approval-rating, women-in-business, imperia-initiative, media-coverage

## What the left says
- Her lukewarm defense underscores that even close allies struggle to characterize Trump's second-term performance in glowing terms amid a 32% approval rating, the lowest of his career.
- The interview glosses over the substantive drivers of public discontent, including an ongoing affordability crisis and an unpopular, costly war with Iran that has dragged on since February.
- Highlighting a women's economic empowerment initiative during a friendly Fox News appearance reads as an attempt to soften the administration's image rather than address the policy failures fueling voter disapproval.
- Independent voters' approval has cratered to historic lows, suggesting the erosion of support extends well beyond typical partisan grumbling.

## What the right says
- Melania Trump is using her platform to launch Imperia, a serious initiative aimed at helping women build economic power through ownership of businesses, equity, and capital rather than just symbolic gestures.
- Her comment that the president 'works nonstop' and has more energy than anyone reflects genuine admiration for his work ethic amid a demanding global environment, including ongoing efforts to end the Russian war in Ukraine.
- She's chosen substance over constant public visibility, working behind the scenes on priorities like reuniting Ukrainian children separated by war rather than chasing headlines.
- Approval polling is a snapshot, not a verdict, and a First Lady offering supportive context about her husband's workload is a normal, human response rather than a political statement.

## Common ground
- Melania Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday to launch Imperia, a new initiative for female business leaders.
- She appeared on Fox & Friends the same day to promote the initiative and discuss other topics, including the president's job performance.
- Trump's approval rating has fallen to 32%, the lowest point of his political career.
- Both sides recognize that public appearances by the First Lady have become less frequent than during Trump's first term.

## Sources
- [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/melania-trump-rings-new-york-stock-exchange-opening-136691193) (Lean Left)
- [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/23/fashion-notes-melania-trump-does-givenchy-power-dressing-for-wall-st/) (Unknown)
- [HuffPost](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/melania-fox-news-interview-trump-second-term-comment-best-that-he-can_n_6ab3f995e4b0891e16c74009) (Left)
- [Mother Jones](https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2026/09/what-world-is-melania-living-in/) (Left)
- [The Economist](https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/02/03/thank-god-for-melania-trump) (Lean Right)

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