Trump Under Pressure
In a recent episode of “Washington Week With The Atlantic,” a panel of political experts gathered to dissect the current state of Donald Trump’s presidency, particularly in light of his recent confrontational remarks to journalists and the political landscape following the recent elections. The discussion highlighted a significant shift in Trump’s political fortunes, as noted by Toluse Olorunnipa, a staff writer at The Atlantic. He pointed out that November has been particularly challenging for the president, marking a stark contrast to a year ago when Trump was riding high on the wave of political power. The elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, which resulted in major victories for Democrats, have left Trump facing the reality of his diminishing influence, with Olorunnipa suggesting that he is beginning to feel the pressure of becoming a “lame duck.”
The panelists further explored the implications of these political shifts, particularly how they have impacted Trump’s relationships within the Republican Party. Jonathan Karl, chief Washington correspondent at ABC News, remarked on the noticeable change in dynamics, stating that Republicans who once aligned closely with Trump are now starting to assert their independence. This evolution 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 experts interpret as a sign of his increasing unease. The panel, which included notable journalists like Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic, Leigh Ann Caldwell from Puck, and Peter Baker from The New York Times, provided a comprehensive analysis of how these developments could signal a broader transformation in the political landscape as Trump navigates the challenges ahead.
As the episode unfolded, the panelists emphasized the importance of understanding these shifts not only in the context of Trump’s presidency but also in the broader narrative of American politics. The discussions highlighted how the recent electoral outcomes could embolden Democrats and challenge Republican strategies moving forward. With Trump’s approval ratings and political capital waning, the implications for the upcoming midterm elections and the 2024 presidential race are becoming increasingly critical. The insights shared during the episode serve as a reminder of the fluid nature of political power and the potential for change as various factions within the party reassess their loyalty and strategies in the wake of a changing political tide. For those interested in a deeper dive into these pressing issues, the full episode is available for viewing online.
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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
.
