Playbook: “Firstly — we have just witnessed Trump U-turn under congressional pressure, a rarity indeed in 2025. Trump shifted position because he was going to lose anyway and wants to salvage the situation as best he can. That sound you could hear was the president’s extraordinary authority over his party slipping away … though now he can at least try to own the result. But it’s definitely a moment.”
“Secondly — hopes will grow among campaigners that we’ll actually see these files. Tomorrow’s result was already a near-certainty, but the assumption had always been that the bill would die in the Senate. But if the president’s position is that House Republicans should vote to release the files, then why should it be different for senators? Indeed, why not just release them himself? That debate becomes a live one today.”
“Thirdly — Trump’s about-face has big implications within the MAGA rank-and-file, where the failure to release the files back in July had caused widespread disenchantment. Supporters on social media sounded pleased and relieved last night, with Trump potentially on a path to redemption with the angriest corners of his base if he presses ahead. But where this goes next is far from clear.”
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