The Narrative

Most Americans Say Their Finances Haven’t Improved Under Trump.

That's the news headline. Think about what it communicates, then read this:

Respondents were asked the question: “Compared with two years ago, is your personal financial situation better, worse or about the same?” Forty-five percent of the 1,001 people polled during the last week of September answered “about the same,” 17 percent said they were worse off, and 38 percent said their financial situation had improved.

Of course. A better headline would be: Only 17% of Americans say that they're financially worse off since Trump became president. But that would make Trump look good and we can't have that.