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Setbacks Leave Trump Frustrated and Looking for Credit

September 20, 2026 at 7:18 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump wants a little gratitude,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“At a recent closed-door meeting in the Oval Office, the president expressed deep frustration to advisers that prominent figures in Washington hadn’t publicly thanked him for trying to overhaul the Kennedy Center, according to a senior administration official.”

“Instead, Trump’s bid to affix his name onto the center’s facade and make sweeping changes to the cultural institution has been met with opposition from Democrats, patrons of the arts and the courts.”

New York Times: How President Trump broke the Kennedy Center.

Trump Eyes Busy Week of Meetings in New York

September 20, 2026 at 7:14 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump’s two days ​attending the United Nations General Assembly will include a series of bilateral meetings and events with notable political figures ‌such as the leaders of Ukraine and the United Kingdom, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani,” Reuters reports.

“Nearly 130 heads of state are meeting in New York as the post-World War Two order comes under strain and with the UN itself struggling to remain relevant while weathering attacks from Trump, who has long expressed disdain ​for the institution and has slashed U.S. funding for many of its agencies.”

Many Ex-Aides to Harris Betting Against a 2028 Run

September 20, 2026 at 6:57 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Many of those who know Kamala Harris best think she ultimately won’t run for the White House in 2028,” Axios reports.

“What the former vice president decides to do is one of the biggest X factors in the next presidential contest: Early polls suggest Harris is the frontrunner to be the Democratic nominee, and if she opted out, it would scramble the primary.”

“Over the past year, a surprisingly large number of former aides, surrogates and donors to Harris have told Axios they believe she won’t launch another campaign.”

“They argue that the moves she’s making — hitting the trail for midterm candidates, going on the podcast circuit, and writing a book — might make her look like a contender-in-waiting, but actually amount to her simply trying to maintain influence.”

Beshear Says Next President Must Go Big On Housing

September 20, 2026 at 6:50 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signaled “that he would put America’s housing affordability crisis at the center of his campaign if he ran for president in 2028,” Axios reports.

“It’s the latest sign that Beshear, who just kicked off a national book tour, is moving closer to a bid for the White House.”

“Beshear said the next president should pursue a massive housing initiative — with strict guidelines to ensure the money is spent quickly.”

Expert Ratings Are Ignoring Signs of a Blue Wave

September 20, 2026 at 4:49 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Nate Silver: “Democrats’ Senate chances are now between 63 percent and 69 percent in all three versions of FLIPR, including 65 percent in our headline ‘Deluxe’ version.”

“For what it’s worth, FLIPR is in pretty strong alignment with prediction markets, which have Democrats at 61 percent to win the Senate.”

“Conversely, expert ratings imply a much different political environment. The Cook Political Report, for example, counts seven races as ‘toss-ups,’ including states like New Hampshire where models and prediction markets imply that Democrats are heavy favorites.”

“This cautious view is misaligned with the long history of strong opposition performance in midterm elections, especially when the incumbent president is as unpopular as Trump. And it’s becoming harder to justify by the day.”

Cassidy Implores Trump to Be ‘Radically Honest’

September 20, 2026 at 4:39 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on Sunday urged the president to be ‘radically honest’ when he’s speaking about vaccines, as the U.S. this year has recorded the most measles cases in more than three decades,” CBS News reports.

Said Cassidy: “I would just ask the president to be aware that people are listening to him — if he discourages immunization, there’ll be fewer people immunized, and if we’re speaking of measles, there’ll be more people sick in the hospital or even die.”

Salazar Says Trump Is ‘Very Receptive’ to Her Warning

September 20, 2026 at 4:20 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) Sunday said that President Donald Trump was ‘very receptive’ to her warning that Hispanic voters feel ‘betrayed’ by his immigration agenda ahead of the midterm elections,” CNN reports.

Said Salazar: “He was a gentleman, very courteous, very receptive. You have this moment in history where you can keep the pot of gold that you brought to the GOP in 2024.”

Bessent Meets with Chinese Counterpart Ahead of Summit

September 20, 2026 at 4:18 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday, ahead of the planned summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week,” CBS News reports.

Trump Drops Demands to Own Greenland

September 20, 2026 at 3:46 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The Economist: “The arctic is a safer place for America and its allies today. Due credit must go to President Donald Trump, a self-styled man of peace. He has, after all, lifted the shadow of imminent invasion from Greenland, the vast and hard-to-defend island that guards NATO’s high north. In the longer term a new defense agreement announced by the Trump administration, Denmark and Greenland on September 18th represents a modest advance on previous treaties. It will make it easier for America to strengthen its military presence on the island, and to control encroachment on Greenlandic soil by China, Russia and other adversaries.”

“The pact is due to be signed by America, Denmark and Greenland at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Mr Trump should not expect a Nobel peace prize for his efforts. It was, of course, he who cast the war shadows over Greenland, threatening to annex the island if he were not allowed to buy it. In these cynical times, it is a relief when war-talk turns out to be bluster, but not grounds for a medal.”

Mamdani to Meet with Trump On Monday

September 20, 2026 at 2:40 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will meet with President Donald Trump on Monday ahead of the United Nations General Assembly,” CNN reports.

“The meeting will take place at Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence in Manhattan.”

North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles

September 20, 2026 at 2:39 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea on Sunday, South Korea’s military said, days after the North threatened to bolster its nuclear deterrent capabilities and respond to what it called U.S. hostilities,” the Associated Press reports.

“The launches were the latest in a series of weapons demonstrations by North Korea even after U.S. President Donald Trump scaled back a joint military exercise with South Korea last month in an apparent effort to revive diplomacy with the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un.”

Trump Is Betting On the Wrong Europe

September 20, 2026 at 2:14 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Thomas Wright: “The Trump administration has consistently embraced Europe’s nationalist-populist parties as ideological partners, and even launched a State Department fund to support MAGA-aligned European groups. It surely sees the AfD’s ascendance as a sign that politics are moving in its direction.”

“But that is true only if Trump’s real goal is a fragmented Europe that accommodates Russian and Chinese power and is unable to punch its weight. Such an outcome would be catastrophic for U.S. interests.”

The Pinball President

September 20, 2026 at 1:10 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

John Dickerson: “No commander in chief has been better at seizing public attention than Donald Trump. But there is a difference between getting attention and doing something with it.”

Andy Burnham Hopes to Build Bridges with Trump

September 20, 2026 at 1:09 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Andy Burnham’s once-fervent criticisms of U.S. President Donald Trump have been dismissed by a UK cabinet member as just ‘politics’ as the two leaders prepare to meet for the first time in New York this week,” the Financial Times reports.

“As mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham said in 2021 in the wake of the Capitol riots that ‘any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now,’ and has also previously described U.S. politics as ‘poisonous.'”

“The UK prime minister is expected to meet Trump and other world leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday amid hopes that common transatlantic interests and personal chemistry will overcome past differences.”

Houthis Push to Expand Territory

September 20, 2026 at 1:09 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen was engaged in fierce battles against fighters backed by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, as the group steps up its push to expand its territory,” the New York Times reports.

“The ground fighting is the latest sign of how the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis that resumed in July is escalating. On Saturday, the armed group said it had launched missiles and drones at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and at oil facilities, in retaliation for hundreds of Saudi airstrikes and other attacks inside Yemen.”

Gas Is High, but Diesel Is Higher

September 20, 2026 at 12:45 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Rising diesel prices are proving to be a particular problem for Republicans as surging energy costs sour the economic mood just 45 days out from the midterms,” NewsNation reports.

“The national average for diesel jumped 42 cents over the last week, largely as a result of the ongoing U.S. war in Iran, though President Trump has sought to cast blame on energy facilities hit as part of the Russia-Ukraine war.”

“The $6.27 average price for a gallon of diesel on Tuesday was the highest ever, with no sign of relief as the winter heating season nears.”

Quote of the Day

September 20, 2026 at 12:10 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“I wouldn’t necessarily put a timeline on it.”

— UN Ambassador Mike Waltz, in an interview with CNN, on whether the Iran War could extend into 2029.

More Democrats Plan to Vote in Person in Midterms

September 20, 2026 at 12:05 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Democrats are increasingly planning to vote in person in November’s midterm elections amid President Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting, according to a new NBC News poll,” Axios reports.

“Democrats have relied heavily on mail voting in recent elections, but the poll points to a shift toward casting ballots early in person.”

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About Political Wire

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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