Trump Labels Opposition “Traitors” at NRCC Dinner as His Approval Ratings Rise Despite Controversial Trade Policies

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against political opponents this week, describing those who oppose his administration’s agenda as committing “treason” during a fiery address at the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner. The charged language comes as his approval ratings show surprising resilience despite widespread criticism of his recent trade policies, highlighting the polarized nature of the current political landscape and Trump’s ability to maintain support among his base even while pursuing controversial measures.

“Treasonous Years of Betrayal”: Trump’s Escalating Rhetoric

Speaking to Republican congressional leaders and donors at the NRCC dinner on Tuesday, Trump delivered some of his most incendiary language since returning to office, explicitly accusing his opponents of treason—a constitutionally defined crime punishable by death—for their policies on immigration and border security.

“Our opponents are not afraid that our America First policies will fail, they’re terrified that our strategy will succeed and we’re going to get bigger and stronger and better as a party, and that’s what’s happening,” Trump declared to the gathering of Republican congressional allies. “It’s going to be something, and I’m actually looking forward to the mid-terms. We’re going to prove that all of their treasonous years of betrayal will not be forgotten—cause it’s treason, what they did is treason.”

The president specifically pointed to immigration policies during the Biden administration as the basis for his accusation: “When they allowed millions of people to pour in through open borders—from all over the world they came, to me that’s treason. What they’ve done to our country is unthinkable.”

Trump further criticized judges who have ruled against his administration’s deportation efforts, particularly regarding suspected members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, claiming that courts were arguing that gang members “should be allowed back in instead of being deported” while the government was “spending money to take people out.”

This characterization of political opposition as treasonous represents a significant escalation in presidential rhetoric. While Trump frequently employed divisive language during his first term and 2024 campaign, directly accusing political opponents of treason—a specific crime defined in Article III of the Constitution as “levying war against [the United States], or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort”—takes the confrontational tone to new heights.

Constitutional scholars and political analysts have expressed concern about this rhetorical strategy, noting that labeling policy disagreements, even significant ones, as “treason” risks further eroding democratic norms and potentially endangering political opponents by painting them as enemies of the state rather than legitimate participants in the democratic process.

“When a president characterizes policy differences as treason, it doesn’t just inflame partisan tensions—it fundamentally misconstrues how constitutional democracy functions,” explained Dr. Eleanor Hammond, professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University. “Democratic governance requires the recognition that political opponents, however strongly one disagrees with them, are legitimate actors within the system, not traitors to the nation.”

Trump’s supporters, however, view his language as a reflection of the severity of the issues at stake, particularly regarding immigration. “The president is expressing what millions of Americans feel—that allowing unrestricted illegal immigration threatens national sovereignty and security,” said Robert Matthews, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration official. “His language may be strong, but it reflects the magnitude of the concern.”

“I’m Proud to be the President for the Workers”: Populist Economic Messaging

Beyond his attacks on opponents, Trump used the NRCC dinner to reinforce his populist economic messaging, positioning himself as a champion of working-class Americans against global trade competitors and domestic elites.

“I’m proud to be the President for the workers, not the outsourcers; the President who stands up for Main Street, not Wall Street; who protects the middle class, not the political class; and who defends America, not trade cheaters all over the globe,” Trump told the audience.

He doubled down on his defense of the controversial tariffs his administration has implemented on numerous trading partners, characterizing other nations as “trade cheaters” who had taken advantage of the United States: “They’re trade cheaters, they cheated on us, they cheated with tariffs on us. They stole our money, they stole our jobs, and now people are going around saying, ‘Oh, we’re not treating them right.’ No, we’re treating them very good, actually. They’re lucky we’re treating them so good.”

This economic nationalism has become a defining feature of Trump’s second term, with the administration implementing substantial tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and European allies since returning to office. These policies have generated significant criticism from traditional free-trade Republicans, business groups concerned about supply chain disruptions and increased costs, and Democratic lawmakers who warn about potential inflation and consumer impacts.

The president’s decision to frame these controversial trade measures in populist terms—as defending American workers against foreign exploitation rather than as complex economic policy choices with various tradeoffs—reflects a consistent communication strategy that has helped maintain his connection with working-class voters, particularly in manufacturing regions that proved crucial to his 2024 electoral victory.

Economic experts remain divided on the potential long-term impact of Trump’s trade policies. Some warn that broad tariffs risk triggering retaliatory measures from trading partners, disrupting global supply chains, and ultimately increasing costs for American consumers and businesses. Others suggest that strategic tariffs could help rebalance trading relationships and revitalize domestic manufacturing in specific sectors, though they caution that such benefits typically emerge over years rather than months.

Rising Approval Despite Controversial Policies

Perhaps most surprising to political observers is the apparent resilience—and even improvement—in Trump’s approval ratings despite implementing controversial trade policies that initially triggered market volatility and criticism from across the political spectrum.

According to a new poll conducted by J.L. Partners in collaboration with the Daily Mail, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters from March 31 to April 3, Trump’s approval rating has increased to 53 percent, a four-point improvement from the previous week when it stood at 49 percent. This increase occurred despite the implementation of sweeping tariffs on dozens of trading partners on April 2, which the Daily Mail characterized as “surprising” given the “intense pressure and stock market crash that occurred on Thursday and Friday.”

Particularly notable in the polling data are Trump’s gains among demographic groups that have traditionally been less supportive of him and the Republican Party more broadly:

• His favorability rating among voters aged 18 to 29 has improved by a remarkable 13 points since March 7, building on unexpected support from younger voters during the 2024 election, when this demographic shifted 10 points in Trump’s favor compared to their strong support for Biden in 2020.
• The president’s support rating increased by six percentage points among registered Democrats and independents, suggesting some crossover appeal for his economic nationalist message.
• Perhaps most striking, Trump’s favorability among Black voters has increased by 17 points since the previous week’s survey, potentially signaling an opportunity to make inroads with a demographic that has overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates in recent decades.

These polling trends contradict conventional political wisdom, which would typically predict declining support following controversial policy implementations that generated significant negative media coverage and initial market volatility. Political analysts suggest several potential explanations for this counterintuitive pattern:

“Trump has successfully framed these tariffs as standing up for American workers against foreign exploitation, which resonates with voters across the political spectrum even if economists and business leaders express concerns,” explained Dr. Melissa Carter, professor of political science at the University of Michigan. “Many voters respond more to the values and intentions signaled by policies than to technical debates about their economic impacts.”

Others point to Trump’s ability to maintain narrative control despite negative media coverage. “The president has consistently positioned himself as fighting for ordinary Americans against both foreign competitors and domestic elites, including media and financial institutions,” noted political strategist James Wilson. “When those same elites criticize his policies, it can actually reinforce his populist credentials among supporters who already distrust those institutions.”

Business Reactions: Cautious Optimism Amid Uncertainty

While financial markets initially reacted negatively to Trump’s tariff announcements, some business leaders have expressed cautious optimism about the administration’s economic approach, though they emphasize that concrete results remain to be seen.

“I would give President Trump, right now, a pretty solid B+,” TaChelle Lawson, founder of FIG Strategy & Consulting and a respondent to the Freedom Economy Index, told Fox News Digital. “He came in with a very clear plan, and that was focusing on economics. He’s definitely putting business first, trimming the fat. That’s something that small business owners, business operators understand and respect.”

Lawson added that “it’s clear that his focus is on American business,” while noting that “the messaging could use a little bit of work.”

This measured praise from business leaders, even as they acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the administration’s policies, suggests a wait-and-see approach from the private sector. Many executives recognize the potential benefits of policies designed to prioritize domestic production and address trade imbalances, while remaining concerned about possible disruptions to established business models and global supply chains.

The administration has sought to reassure businesses that tariffs represent a negotiating tactic rather than a permanent feature of the economic landscape, with officials suggesting that trading partners can secure relief by making concessions that address American concerns about market access and fair competition.

Looking Ahead: Political and Economic Implications

As Trump approaches his 100th day back in office, the combination of inflammatory rhetoric against opponents and resilient approval ratings despite controversial policies creates a complex political landscape with several potential implications:

First, Trump’s willingness to employ increasingly extreme characterizations of his opposition—culminating in accusations of treason—signals a potential further deterioration of democratic discourse and heightened polarization as the midterm election cycle approaches. If policy disagreements are framed as treasonous betrayals rather than legitimate political differences, finding common ground on pressing national challenges becomes increasingly difficult.

Second, the president’s apparent ability to maintain or even increase his support while implementing controversial trade policies suggests that his political coalition may be more durable than many analysts predicted. If Trump can successfully reframe economic nationalism as protecting American workers rather than disrupting global trade, he may continue to defy conventional political expectations about the electoral consequences of protectionist policies.

Third, the surprising gains among younger voters, independents, and even some Democrats and Black voters indicate that Trump’s economic messaging may have broader appeal than traditional Republican platforms, potentially reshaping the electoral map for both the upcoming midterms and the remainder of his term. If these trends persist, they could force Democrats to recalibrate their economic positions to address the apparent resonance of Trump’s populist approach.

Finally, the business community’s cautious but not overwhelmingly negative response to Trump’s initial policy moves suggests that the administration may have more flexibility to pursue its economic nationalism than critics anticipated. If major companies adapt to new tariff regimes rather than mounting significant opposition, Trump may face fewer domestic constraints on his trade agenda than previous presidents who pursued protectionist policies.

As the administration moves past its initial policy implementations and toward the midterm campaign season, the sustainability of both Trump’s confrontational rhetoric and his economic approach will be tested. The president’s apparent bet is that accusations of treason against opponents and aggressive trade policies against foreign competitors will energize his base while potentially expanding his coalition—a high-risk strategy that appears to be paying political dividends in the short term despite warnings from critics across the ideological spectrum.

Whether this approach translates to legislative victories, sustained economic growth, and midterm electoral success remains to be seen, but the early polling data suggests that conventional wisdom about both political rhetoric and economic policy may need reassessment in the unique political environment of Trump’s second term.