Stephen Collinson: “America no longer seems to believe that he, alone, can fix it.”

“At his 2016 convention, Donald Trump billed himself as the unique force who could end America’s troubles. A decade later, at a midterm Republican pseudo-convention on Wednesday night, he sweetened the offer, with a pitchman’s promise of a $5,000 jackpot for every voter.”

“But polls reflect a wide gap between the president’s pledges and how voters view his performance. He’s therefore taking a huge risk by making the midterm elections all about himself.”

Rolling Stone: “Gallery images of Trump decorated the hallways along the suite and media levels. His face is plastered on every access badge. The official merch store was abundant in Trump’s signature MAGA hats, ‘Trump Was Right About Everything’ hats, and large stacks of Eric Trump’s book Under Siege. Fox News set up a broadcast center facing the stage, where a revolving door of GOP notables sat for interviews and panels.”

“And yet, as the hour of Trump’ s keynote address arrived, large swaths of the arena remained empty. American flags had been taped to seats in balcony sections, perhaps in an attempt to trick the eye into seeing occupancy where there was none.”

“For the record, I am hugely in favor of winning the midterms, and love much about this administration, but am strongly against bread and circus bribes.”

— Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, quoted by Mediaite, on President Trump’s proposal to give each American $5,000 if Republicans win the midterm elections.