Trump is entering the washed-up rock star phase of his presidency

With Election Day days away, MS NOW political analyst Matthew Bartlett argues that President Donald Trump's standing has collapsed and that the country has turned sharply against him and congressional Republicans. Trump is spending the final stretch of the midterm campaign in strongly conservative states such as Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Alaska, South Carolina and Mississippi, defending House and Senate seats once considered safe. His team canceled in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa and then reinstated them, while adding telerallies that spare the 80-year-old president more travel.

Bartlett describes a president who lashes out when his fortunes sour: ordering unfounded prosecutions, feuding with allies, favoring dictators and pursuing a war he cannot win or end. He says Trump has little accomplishment or agenda to offer, and that promises of new businesses, oil pipelines and cash bonuses are unlikely to persuade voters as they did in 2024. Rising costs, foreign conflict and corruption, he writes, have defined the second term.

Bartlett expects a likely divided government to bring two difficult years, intense partisan fights on Capitol Hill and an immediate start to the 2028 race.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →