On June 17, 2025, President Donald Trump returned to Washington amid a sharp drop in approval ratings, a public relations blunder involving his new smartphone brand, and rising tensions in the Middle East.
Approval Ratings Plunge Across Multiple Polls
Trump’s approval rating tumbled across several major polls, reflecting growing public unease over his tariff policies, immigration crackdowns, and handling of the Iran-Israel conflict:
- Ipsos/Reuters: 41% approve, 57% disapprove (-16 net approval)
- American Research Group: 38% approve, 59% disapprove (-21 net approval)
- YouGov/Economist: 41% approve, 54% disapprove
- Morning Consult: 45% approve, 53% disapprove
Analysts attribute the decline to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, his early departure from the G7 Summit, and the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which have sparked fears of a broader war.
Trump Mocked for “Trump Mobile” Launch Gaffe
Just one day after the Trump Organization launched “Trump Mobile,” a new smartphone brand, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he “doesn’t believe in telephones” because “people like you listen to them”.
Critics and comedians pounced on the irony, calling it the “worst product launch in presidential history.” Social media erupted with memes and mock ads mocking the contradiction between Trump’s anti-phone stance and his new phone brand.
“Doomsday Plane” Flight Fuels Speculation
Adding to the day’s intrigue, the U.S. Air Force’s E-4B “Nightwatch”, also known as the “doomsday plane,” made a rare and highly unusual flight from Barksdale Air Force Base to Joint Base Andrews. The aircraft, designed to serve as a mobile command center during nuclear war, used a new call sign “ORDER01”, sparking speculation that the U.S. may be preparing for escalated conflict with Iran.
June 17, 2025, captured the chaotic convergence of political missteps, international tension, and branding blunders. As Trump returned to Washington, he faced a nation increasingly skeptical of his leadership—and a world watching his next move.