Former MSNBC host Chris Matthews conceded during a recent interview that the American people were “moving towards” President Donald Trump — and attributed that to Trump’s uncanny ability to gauge the mood of the people in real time.

Matthews made the comments during an interview with longtime PBS broadcaster Charlie Rose (who was let go by the network in 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct), and he compared Trump’s staying power with the “charisma” of others like former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

“To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump. These polls, they come out and show him not doing well — I don’t buy that,” Matthews said. “He is a stronger public figure than the Democratic people.”

Matthews went on to reference Obama — who still has the ability to draw a crowd — and argued that it was not enough to match what Trump brought to the table.

“Obama still has tremendous charisma — but Trump has strength,” he added. “[Voters] want a president who is a strong figure. And he’s got it. It’s just there. And half the country buys it.”

WATCH:

🚨NEW: Chris Matthews *DOESN’T BELIEVE* negative TRUMP polls🚨

“To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump. These polls, they come out and show him not doing well — I don’t buy that.”

“He is a stronger public figure than the Democratic people.”

“Obama still… pic.twitter.com/twYsmDnD1P

— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) July 26, 2025

But Matthews didn’t stop there — instead, he went on to explain what he thought was really giving Trump the edge: his apparent ability to read the room and get his finger on the pulse of the people.

“We have never had a president so instantly spontaneous that he knows this minute — at 4:00 this afternoon, he will say, ‘You know, that’s not really true anymore,'” Matthews explained. “He will know the mood of the country.”

WATCH:

🚨NEW: Chris Matthews *PRAISES* Trump’s political skill🚨

“We have never had a president so instantly spontaneous that he knows this minute — at 4:00 this afternoon, he will say, ‘You know, that’s not really true anymore.'”

“He will know the mood of the country.”

“He’s very… pic.twitter.com/2X4KU2193T

— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) July 26, 2025

“He’s very good at knowing your condition, your worries, your insecurities,” he continued, saying that Trump was like the kid in grade school who understood where everyone’s weaknesses were. “He’s really good at the moment. He’s out there watching television and keeping up. And ‘Is this the right thing to do? What are we going to do right now?'”

“Biden couldn’t do that in a million years, not in a million years. Mondale couldn’t do that,” he admitted. “They don’t have the connection to the electricity of what’s going on in the country culturally. And he knows what works.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that Vice President JD Vance, his “close friend” and former colleague in the Senate, would be a “great nominee” if he decides to run for the presidency.

On Saturday’s episode of Fox News Channel’s “My View with Lara Trump,” host Lara Trump noted that Rubio was “quite frequently” talked about as a potential contender in the 2028 contest and asked him if he had his “sights set” outside the Department of State.

“Well, I think JD Vance would be a great nominee,” Rubio replied. “And if you know, I think if he decides he wants to do that. And so, you know, and I think he’s doing a great job as vice president. He’s a close friend. And I hope he intends to do it.”

He continued, “I know it’s kind of early, you know, but being in the role that I’m in here at the secretary of state, I really don’t play in politics. There’s actually rules against me being involved in domestic politics. And I want to do this job as long as the president allows me to do it and stay in that job, which would keep me here all the way through January of 2028. I feel, honestly, you never know what the future holds. You never rule things out or anything. You just don’t know — things change very quickly.”

Rubio then reflected on the first six months of President Donald Trump’s second administration.

“But that said, I believe that if I am able to be here, you know, through the duration of this presidency and we get things done at the pace that we’ve been doing the last six months, I’ll be able to look back at my time in public service and say I made a difference. I had an impact and I served my country in a very positive way,” Rubio said. “And I would be satisfied with that as the apex of my career, you know. And so that’s what I’m focused on right now, because we’re doing some special things that I think are going to bear dividend and fruit for a generation.”

Earlier in the interview, Rubio spoke about joining forces with President Trump after they competed against each other in the 2016 election.

“And then we’re on the same team because he’s a Republican nominee and I’m a Republican,” Rubio said. “I was in the Senate during the four years, his first term. And it was the best four years I had in the Senate. We got a lot done together. And then obviously he’s a resident of Florida. So, he was my constituent and we stayed in touch during that time. And then I was very happy to be helpful on the campaign. He picked one of my closest friends in politics, JD Vance, to be vice president. It was a great team. And then we were on the same team from that point forward and have been ever since.”

In May, President Trump named Vance and Rubio when asked who could become his successor during a “Meet The Press” interview on NBC.

🚨 BREAKING: When asked about President Trump’s successor… he first and foremost names VP JD VANCE for 2028.

“It’s far too early to say that, but I do have a vice president and typically would be – and JD’s doing a fantastic job.”

“It could very well be. I don’t want to get… pic.twitter.com/6nD1dZPbLK

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 4, 2025

“Well, I — it’s far too early to say that. But you know, I do have a vice president, and typically — and JD’s doing a fantastic job,” Trump said.

“He would be at the top of the list?” moderator Kristen Welker pressed.

“It could very well be,” Trump replied. “I don’t want to get involved in that. I think he’s a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great.”

The president also declared, “I also see tremendous unity. But certainly you would say that somebody’s the VP, if that person is outstanding, I guess that person would have an advantage. But I think the other people would all stay in unbelievably high positions. But you know, it could be that he’d be challenged by somebody. We have a lot of good people in this party.”