Former MSNBC host Chris Matthews offered praise for President Donald Trump's political instincts and cultural connection to the country during a conversation with Charlie Rose. Matthews highlighted Trump's ability to sense the public mood and respond spontaneously, contrasting this with other political figures whom he described as less attuned to the nation's cultural 'electricity.' He emphasized Trump's strength as a public figure and suggested that this quality resonates with many voters, even arguing that polls showing Trump's declining popularity are not accurate reflections of public sentiment. Matthews also commented on Trump's approach to elite institutions, noting that recent controversies at universities have made them vulnerable to criticism and that Trump's targeting of these issues is politically shrewd.