Summary
Overview
This episode examines Donald Trump's increasingly problematic midterm campaign tour as he visits red states with declining rally attendance and off-message performances. The hosts analyze devastating polling showing Democratic gains in Republican strongholds, Trump's declining approval ratings, and growing GOP concerns about his campaign effectiveness. The discussion extends to the rise of right-wing movements across Latin America, particularly Brazil's election of Flavio Bolsonaro, and questions about Trump's influence in the region.
Trump's Campaign Tour Struggles and GOP Concerns
With 30 days until the midterms, Trump is campaigning in traditionally red states like Texas, Alabama, and Nebraska, but Republican strategists are keeping him away from swing districts. Rally attendance has dropped significantly from 2016 levels, with venues showing empty seats. Even longtime Trump allies like Senator John Kennedy and Tom Tillis are publicly criticizing him, with Tillis admitting his support for controversial nominations like Pete Hegseth was a mistake.
- Trump campaigning in red states and districts, avoiding swing areas where he could hurt Republican candidates
- Democrats making deep gains into Republican strongholds, forcing Trump to fight on home turf
- Rally attendance significantly lower than 2016, with venues showing empty sections despite Trump's physical stamina for 30+ planned rallies
- Senator John Kennedy used profanity to describe Trump giving out Senator Cotton's phone number
" I know more about everything than anybody in this room, anybody anywhere in the world. "
" Trump is distracted. He's out of touch. He's surrounded himself with yes-men, and it is showing. "
The Tom Cotton Phone Number Incident
Trump publicly released Senator Tom Cotton's cell phone number after Cotton blocked his daylight savings legislation. The hosts debate whether this was a genuine conflict or a coordinated strategy for Cotton to distance himself from Trump before the elections. The incident highlights the delicate dance Republican candidates are performing to maintain Trump's support while trying to establish independence from an increasingly unpopular president.
- Trump released Tom Cotton's phone number over disagreement on daylight savings law
- Possible theory that Cotton and Trump staged the conflict to help Cotton differentiate himself from Trump in Arkansas
- Daylight savings is a minor issue, potentially chosen deliberately as safe ground for appearing to oppose Trump
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