Trump Under Pressure
In a recent episode of *Washington Week With The Atlantic*, the panelists delved into the increasingly turbulent political landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump, particularly following a challenging November marked by significant Democratic victories in key states. Toluse Olorunnipa of *The Atlantic* highlighted that just a year ago, Trump was at the height of his political influence, with his administration seemingly unstoppable. However, the recent elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia have shifted the narrative, suggesting that Trump may soon become a “lame duck” as members of his own party begin to distance themselves from him. This shift in dynamics has left Trump visibly rattled, as evidenced by his recent outbursts toward journalists, including a confrontation in the Oval Office where he referred to one reporter as “Quiet, piggy.”
The panel also discussed Trump’s legislative actions, including his decision to release the government’s investigation files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which may reflect a broader sense of desperation and a need to regain control over the narrative. Jonathan Karl, the chief Washington correspondent at ABC News, noted that Republicans who previously aligned closely with Trump are now showing signs of independence, indicating a potential fracture within the party. The commentary from the panelists suggests that the political landscape is shifting, with Trump facing mounting challenges both from opposition parties and within his own ranks. As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that the implications of these developments could reshape the Republican Party and Trump’s future influence in American politics.
This episode of *Washington Week With The Atlantic* not only provided insights into Trump’s current political standing but also underscored the broader implications of recent electoral outcomes and legislative actions. As the panelists explored these themes, they painted a picture of a president grappling with a changing political environment, where his once-unassailable power is now under serious scrutiny. For those interested in the intricacies of American politics and the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party, this episode serves as a crucial commentary on the current state of affairs. You can catch the full episode on PBS or listen to the accompanying podcast for an in-depth analysis of these pressing issues.
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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
.
