MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace has spotlighted recent polling data and reports suggesting that President Donald Trump is increasingly concerned about comparisons to former President Herbert Hoover. Wallace pointed to surveys indicating a decline in public confidence regarding Trump's handling of the economy, with some polls showing voters favoring Democrats on economic issues for the first time since 2010.
Wallace noted Trump's public statements acknowledging a desire to avoid being associated with Hoover, the president during whose tenure the Great Depression began. Trump has stated his "primary wish as president" is to not be remembered as "the late, great Herbert Hoover" and expressed concern about overseeing a "worldwide depression."
Reports indicate that Trump has privately and publicly acknowledged wanting to disassociate himself from Hoover, particularly as the conflict in Iran has led to pressures on global energy markets and rising prices for consumers. Wallace suggested that Trump's focus on Hoover indicates a growing fixation, despite his historical knowledge.
Economic indicators cited include a slowdown in job growth in July, with employers cutting positions, and the impact of the Iran conflict on fuel prices. These economic pressures appear to be affecting public perception, with Wallace observing that everyday Americans are discussing the rising cost of living and seeking out lower prices for essential goods.
The NPR reporting referenced by Wallace noted that Trump has sought to resolve the Iran conflict partly to avoid the Hoover comparisons. Hoover took office shortly before the 1929 stock market crash, which preceded the Great Depression. Recent polling also suggests a shift in sentiment among non-college voters regarding Trump since the 2024 election.