What happened
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his administration has a public relations problem. He stated that despite his accomplishments, he has done a bad job of explaining them to the public. Trump made these comments during various events, including a Hispanic Heritage Month event and a campaign swing through Texas and Oklahoma.
Trump's admissions come at a sensitive time for the White House, with former press secretary Karoline Leavitt leaving and Trump reportedly complaining about the lack of allies defending him in the media. Former White House Communications Director Stephanie Grisham predicted that Trump will want new communications staff after the midterms.
Trump's acknowledgment of a public relations problem creates tension with the White House's claim that he is his own best messenger. The president is trying to make his case directly to the public, promoting his administration's accomplishments and tying them to economic benefits in key states.
Despite Trump's efforts, his net approval rating has reached a low point, and polls indicate that the GOP may lose control of Congress. Republican strategists have criticized Trump's approach, saying that he has a policy problem, not just a messaging one.