Trump Under Pressure
In a recent episode of “Washington Week With The Atlantic,” panelists explored the shifting political landscape surrounding President Donald Trump, particularly in light of his recent contentious interactions with the media. Notably, Trump’s remarks, including telling a journalist to “Quiet, piggy,” have raised eyebrows and prompted discussions about his psychological state as he faces mounting pressures. Toluse Olorunnipa, a staff writer at The Atlantic, articulated that November has proven to be a challenging month for Trump, marking a stark contrast to his political dominance just a year prior, when he seemed virtually untouchable during the early months of his presidency. The recent Democratic victories in gubernatorial races across New York, New Jersey, and Virginia have signaled a shift in momentum, suggesting that Trump’s influence may be waning as both the public and members of his own party begin to reconsider their allegiance to him.
The panelists highlighted how these electoral losses have contributed to a sense of unease within Trump’s administration, with Olorunnipa suggesting that the president is beginning to grapple with the reality of becoming a “lame duck” as the political tide turns. Jonathan Karl, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent, echoed this sentiment, noting that Republicans who have traditionally aligned closely with Trump are now starting to assert their independence. This shift is underscored by Trump’s recent decision to sign legislation mandating the release of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, a move that some interpret as a sign of his increasing vulnerability. The discussions on the show reflect a broader narrative of a presidency that, once characterized by unchallenged authority, is now facing significant scrutiny and potential fragmentation as the political landscape evolves.
The episode featured insights from a distinguished panel, including Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic; Leigh Ann Caldwell from Puck; Peter Baker of The New York Times; and Olorunnipa himself, all contributing to a nuanced understanding of the current political climate. As Trump navigates these turbulent waters, the implications for his administration and the Republican Party as a whole remain significant, prompting viewers to consider what the future may hold for American politics in the wake of these developments. To delve deeper into the conversation, viewers can watch the full episode available on PBS platforms.
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Earlier this week Donald Trump told a journalist “Quiet, piggy,” and later lashed out at another reporter in the Oval Office. On
Washington Week With The Atlantic
, panelists joined to discuss what could be behind the president’s comments, and more.
November has been “a really tough month for Trump,” Toluse Olorunnipa, a staff writer at
The Atlantic
, said last night. A year ago, Trump was “at the peak of his political power,” and his first 10 months in office “were pretty much signs that there was very little that” could be done to stop him. But then, Olorunnipa noted, “we had the elections in the first part of this month.”
Following major victories for Democrats in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, Trump is beginning to realize “that he’s going to be a lame duck very soon,” Olorunnipa argued—and “people within his own party are starting to look past him.”
Meanwhile, Trump has signed legislation ordering the release of the government’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. “My sense is that he’s rattled,” Jonathan Karl, the chief Washington correspondent at ABC News, said last night. “Republicans who have been entirely supplicant to him” are “suddenly standing up and going in a different direction.”
Joining the editor in chief of
The Atlantic
, Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss this and more: Leigh Ann Caldwell, the chief Washington correspondent at
Puck
; Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for
The New York Times
; Karl, the chief Washington correspondent at ABC News; and Olorunnipa, a staff writer at
The Atlantic
.
Watch the full episode
here
.
