A new Pew Research poll finds Donald Trump’s approval at 30%, while 68% disapprove.
Trump Approval
Approve 30%
Disapprove 68%
Daily Archives
October 8, 2026
83 posts · Thursday
Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 191
Blue Wave Update
Trial Balloon · Ep. 191: Blue Wave Update
Rubio Refuses to Comment On Guilfoyle Allegations
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday flatly refused to comment on a new report alleging that U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle engaged in improper and possibly illegal conduct before taking up her post,” the Associated Press reports.
U.S. Budget Deficit Jumps to Nearly $2 Trillion
“The U.S. budget deficit climbed to nearly $2 trillion in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to the Congressional Budget Office, deepening the federal government’s persistent red-ink trend,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Teens Who Identify as Gay or Bisexual Is in ‘Free Fall’
“Young teenagers are less likely to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual than they were a few years ago, according to a new analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data,” the Washington Post reports.
Election Chief Preps for Trump Trying to Seize Ballots
“Cisco Aguilar believes this Election Day will be unlike any other in Nevada’s history. He is bracing for immigration agents to descend on polling locations, for federal law enforcement to move to seize ballots and for the President to openly dispute the state’s election results,” Time reports.
Said Aguilar: “If this administration chooses to challenge the elections, yes, we are preparing for it. We know it’s a very high probability.”
Obama Marvels at Democrats’ Senate Chances
“Former president Barack Obama expressed surprise at Democrats’ expanding midterm map at a private fundraiser Wednesday night, but warned donors not to get complacent about the party’s chances, according to excerpts provided to The Washington Post,” the Washington Post reports.
Said Obama: “There are states right now in play that I would not have imagined being in play. If you had told me, and — I know I’m the hope guy — but if you had told me that the polling currently shows James Talarico ahead of Ken Paxton … I would have said, eh, I don’t think so.”
For members: The Senate Map Has Turned Upside Down
Trump Warns He’ll ‘Never Forgive’ Texas if Talarico Wins
“Digging in to defend both his pride and his political fortunes, President Donald Trump on Wednesday returned to deep-red Texas to rally for Ken Paxton’s Senate bid, while revealing at times his own trepidation that one of the Republican Party’s longest winning streaks may be about to end on his watch,” Time reports.
Trump warned the crowd in San Antonio: “We’ll never forgive you for what you have done if you let that happen.”
Where Is James Talarico?
“James Talarico has been absent from the campaign trail over the past 12 days as the Texas Senate race enters a critical stretch, prompting Republicans to open a new line of attack on the Democratic nominee,” CNN reports.
“At a campaign rally in San Antonio Wednesday, Texas attorney general and GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton led the crowd in a chant about his opponent’s whereabouts.”
Said Paxton: “Where is James Talarico?”
“Talarico’s campaign said the Texas Democrat is recovering from the flu.”
Roy Cooper Ahead in North Carolina Senate Race
A new ECU Poll in North Carolina finds Roy Cooper (D) leading Michael Whatley (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 50% to 43%.
North Carolina Senate Race
Roy Cooper (D) 50%
Michael Whatley (R) 43%
Conservative Podcasters Keep Talking About Affordability
“Just months ago, ‘affordability’ was the left’s favorite buzzword. President Trump hated it so much he called it a ‘fake word by Democrats’ and a ‘hoax,'” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“Now, it is catching on in another circle: conservative podcasts.”
“As the cost of living emerges as a top issue for voters ahead of the 2026 elections, right-leaning podcasters are using the term about as often as left-leaning ones, a Wall Street Journal analysis of tens of thousands of hours of podcasts aired since January found.”
Pentagon Contractors Face Scrutiny from Democrats
“Democrats are zeroing in on the Pentagon and defense contractors as they prepare to scrutinize potential conflicts of interest in the Trump administration should they win control of Congress,” Bloomberg reports.
“Companies that have contracts with the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are particularly vulnerable… That’s partly because Congress expects the administration will continue to ignore or slow-walk their requests for information — as it has even when Republicans were in control.”
Katie Hobbs Leads Arizona Governor’s Race
A new Equis poll in Arizona finds Katie Hobbs (D) leading Andy Biggs (R) in the governor’s race, 49% to 43%.
Arizona Governor’s Race
Katie Hobbs (D) 49%
Andy Biggs (R) 43%
Trump Calls for Paxton-Talarico Debate
“President Donald Trump called for a debate between Texas’s Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the state’s highly competitive Senate race,” the Washington Post reports.
“Talarico has already agreed to numerous debates. Paxton has either declined, claiming the hosts would be biased, or not responded to the invitations. Talarico offered to face Paxton in a debate hosted by Fox News — an invitation the network accepted — but Paxton did not respond.”
Trump Says U.S. Will Not Attack Iran Before Midterms
“President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm election, explicitly tying the timing of potential further military action to the domestic political calendar,” CNBC reports.
Said Trump: “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections.”
How Elon Musk Got Back in Trump’s Orbit
“As Elon Musk prepares to receive a prestigious honor from President Donald Trump Thursday afternoon, several sources familiar with the pair’s relationship say that the trillionaire is back in the administration’s fold after last year’s nasty blowup between the pair,” Fox News reports.
Said one former administration official: “Water under the bridge.”
Short answer: He has a trillion dollars.
Justice Department Seeks Cassidy Hutchinson Indictment
The Justice Department is seeking a federal criminal indictment of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson on charges of lying to Congress about President Donald Trump’s actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Punchbowl News reports.
Florida Senate Race Tighter Than Expected
A new Florida Politics/St. Pete Polls poll in Florida finds Ashley Moody (R) leading Angie Nixon (D) in the U.S. Senate race, 47% to 45%.
Florida Senate Race
Ashley Moody (R) 47%
Angie Nixon (D) 45%
The same poll in Florida finds David Jolly (D) and Byron Donalds (R) tied in the governor’s race, 45% to 45%.
Florida Governor’s Race
David Jolly (D) 45%
Byron Donalds (R) 45%
Vance Signals Discomfort After Kimberly Guilfoyle Report
“Vice President JD Vance said Thursday he took issue with anyone seeking financial gain in exchange for access to Trump administration officials after a report claimed Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, sought funds and offered access to top administration officials ahead of her confirmation,” CNN reports.
Said Vance: “Obviously I don’t love that… Of course I don’t like anybody selling access to another government official, certainly a high-level government official.”
The Bulwark: Leaked Kimberly Guilfoyle texts reveal brazen corruption.
Taegan Goddard
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.
More about Taegan Goddard →