The walls are indeed closing in on Donald Trump, and it's a spectacle that should serve as a cautionary tale for politicians who think they can escape accountability through sheer force of will.
Polls have made short work of the former president's reputation, with his approval rating plummeting to -24%, a figure only matched by Richard Nixon's at this point in his second term. The erosion is widespread, with independents, Gen Z, and Hispanics deserting Trump en masse, while even his base appears to be turning on him.
Trump's economy, the hallmark of his campaign, has imploded under his leadership. Inflation is soaring, unemployment has risen, and small businesses are reeling from the costs of operating in a chaotic environment created by the administration. Consumers are feeling the pinch at the grocery store, with prices increasing while wages stagnate. The national debt and deficit have ballooned, making it clear that Trump's fiscal policies were a disaster.
But it's not just the economy; Trump's personnel situation is also becoming increasingly dire. His secretary of defense is facing war crimes allegations, his head of the FBI may be next on the chopping block, and his attorney general has become the laughingstock of the legal community. Even his own health and human services secretary has been called for replacement by scientists from nearly every field.
And then there's Trump's party, which is rapidly losing its grip on reality. Former allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace have broken ranks with him on key issues, while at least five Republicans are retiring or refusing to seek reelection. The party's leadership has become increasingly mired in infighting, with the GOP senators ignoring Trump's demands to end the filibuster.
But perhaps most disturbing is Trump himself, who appears to be losing control of his own narrative. His recent spasm on Truth Social, posting an unhinged mix of tweets about everything from "Home Alone 2" to election conspiracies, was a stark reminder that he's no longer in command. Flooding the zone with absurdity and nonsense is his new tactic, an attempt to distract from his obvious failures.
It's never wise to declare Trump dead, politically speaking. He always seems to find a way back into power, but this time it feels different. The midterms are around the corner, and the signs suggest that Trump's fate may be inextricably linked to those of his party. If the party implodes, so too will his chances of survival.
As I've learned over years of covering politics, you can never count Trump out. But this time, it feels like he's running out of steam. The walls are closing in, and it may be only a matter of time before they come crashing down around him.
Polls have made short work of the former president's reputation, with his approval rating plummeting to -24%, a figure only matched by Richard Nixon's at this point in his second term. The erosion is widespread, with independents, Gen Z, and Hispanics deserting Trump en masse, while even his base appears to be turning on him.
Trump's economy, the hallmark of his campaign, has imploded under his leadership. Inflation is soaring, unemployment has risen, and small businesses are reeling from the costs of operating in a chaotic environment created by the administration. Consumers are feeling the pinch at the grocery store, with prices increasing while wages stagnate. The national debt and deficit have ballooned, making it clear that Trump's fiscal policies were a disaster.
But it's not just the economy; Trump's personnel situation is also becoming increasingly dire. His secretary of defense is facing war crimes allegations, his head of the FBI may be next on the chopping block, and his attorney general has become the laughingstock of the legal community. Even his own health and human services secretary has been called for replacement by scientists from nearly every field.
And then there's Trump's party, which is rapidly losing its grip on reality. Former allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace have broken ranks with him on key issues, while at least five Republicans are retiring or refusing to seek reelection. The party's leadership has become increasingly mired in infighting, with the GOP senators ignoring Trump's demands to end the filibuster.
But perhaps most disturbing is Trump himself, who appears to be losing control of his own narrative. His recent spasm on Truth Social, posting an unhinged mix of tweets about everything from "Home Alone 2" to election conspiracies, was a stark reminder that he's no longer in command. Flooding the zone with absurdity and nonsense is his new tactic, an attempt to distract from his obvious failures.
It's never wise to declare Trump dead, politically speaking. He always seems to find a way back into power, but this time it feels different. The midterms are around the corner, and the signs suggest that Trump's fate may be inextricably linked to those of his party. If the party implodes, so too will his chances of survival.
As I've learned over years of covering politics, you can never count Trump out. But this time, it feels like he's running out of steam. The walls are closing in, and it may be only a matter of time before they come crashing down around him.