The Rest Is Politics: US
The Rest Is Politics: US

224. Trump Is Caving to Xi: Will Maga Turn on Him?

September 24, 2026 • 45m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

In this episode, Anthony and Katty analyze concerning polls showing Trump's approval ratings plummeting ahead of the midterm elections, with Democrats now leading on key issues like immigration, inflation, and gas prices. They discuss Republicans beginning to distance themselves from Trump, the failed press ban distraction, and President Xi's state visit where China appears to hold all the cards in negotiations. The hosts examine whether a Democratic 'blue wave' could deliver historic congressional gains.

Trump's Collapsing Poll Numbers and Republican Panic

Since Labor Day, approximately two dozen major polls have emerged showing devastating numbers for Trump and Republicans heading into the midterms. The president's approval ratings have dropped dramatically, with Democrats now leading on all four major issues voters care about - gas prices, inflation, immigration, and foreign policy. This represents a complete reversal from 2024 when Trump's advantage on these issues helped him win the presidency. White House insiders are reportedly panicking about the numbers.

  • About two dozen major polls since Labor Day are causing panic in the White House
  • Democrats are ahead on all four major issues: gas prices, inflation, immigration, and foreign policy
  • Trump is 22 points below his September 2018 mark on economic approval ratings
  • Political strategists are discussing Democrats potentially taking 20 House seats and 7-8 Senate seats
" Republicans are starting to distance themselves from Trump and the President is seriously panicking. His attempt to ban and distract the media has failed disastrously. Why? Because all they can talk about is his terrible approval ratings. "

Historical Wave Comparisons and Trump's Response

Political analysts are comparing the current situation to the 2006 midterms when George W. Bush lost 30 House seats due to an unpopular war and high prices. Anthony describes meeting with Republican operatives, Democratic strategists, and reporters who all expressed concerns about mafia-style corruption in the Trump administration and questioned whether Democrats have a plan for accountability if they win. The discussion reveals deep anxiety about Trump potentially doing something dramatic to interfere with elections if he faces a massive defeat.

  • The comparison being made is to 2006 when Bush lost 30 House seats due to unpopular war and high prices
  • Corruption described as 'mafia-style' by multiple sources, with family members soliciting billions from Middle East
  • Questions raised about whether Hakeem Jeffries is tough enough to handle Trump if he becomes Speaker
  • Conservative radio host Steve Deese warned Republicans that districts Trump won by +10 points are now underwater
" I'm worried about Trump is going to lose so badly that they do something deus ex machina on the election. "
" If you've got evil people that you're fighting with, you have to understand evil people. You cannot be naive. "

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