Political Wire

Trump Voters Are Souring On Trump

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“One-third of voters who supported President Donald Trump in 2024 think his presidency is going worse than expected, according to a new poll — a worrying sign for Republicans as they try to save the party’s congressional majorities ahead of next month’s election,” the Washington Sun reports.

“The survey from the center-left Democratic think tank Third Way found that the share of Trump voters who thought things were going worse than expected had swelled from 22% in their April survey to 33% in September, when the new poll was conducted.”

Inflation Hits Trump’s Merch Machine

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“The economy is reeling from inflation, tariffs, and a war in Iran that’s made it more expensive to fill your gas tank, fridge and closet,” the Washington Sun reports.

“The Trump economy is also affecting Trump merch: The cost of Make America Great Again hats and several other Trump-themed items have spiked as well.”

Pete Hegseth’s Impeachment Seems Inevitable

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Punchbowl News: “There may be nothing Pete Hegseth can do to save himself from eventually being impeached by the House.”

”Yet the combative Defense secretary may relish the fight with what he sees as the woke forces trying to destroy the U.S. military.”

”Even as Democrats aren’t sold on impeaching President Donald Trump again if they regain the majority, opposition to his lightning-rod Pentagon chief has emerged as a bicameral source of party unity. Many Democrats see it as a winning issue on the campaign trail.”

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Trump Announces $8 Billion Plan to Cover Farm Losses

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“President Trump said at a rally in Kansas Monday night that the Agriculture Department would provide $8 billion in economic aid to farmers hurt by high diesel prices,” the New York Times reports.

“It was the second time in two years that the president authorized billions of dollars in bailout money for farmers harmed by his administration’s policies, and came 15 days before a midterm election in which unhappy farmers and ranchers could be the deciding votes in close races across the country.”

Albertans Vote to Stay in Canada in Historic Referendum

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“Voters in Alberta chose to stay in Canada by a convincing margin in a historic referendum on Monday, according to projections from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., staving off an economic and political crisis that Prime Minister Mark Carney argued the country could ill afford,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

Bloomberg: Alberta separation vote: 68% back staying in Canada, separatists vow to fight on.

Republicans See Shrinking Boost From Redistricting

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“House Republicans are quietly scaling back hopes for the 10-seat boost they sought from redistricting nationwide, amid a souring political climate and polls showing a collapse in GOP support among Latino voters in Texas and Florida,” Axios reports.

“On their down days, Republicans privately worry that the great redistricting war of 2026 will net them only one seat nationwide, according to top GOP strategists.”

Democrats Lead in Ohio

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A new Marist Poll poll in Ohio finds Sherrod Brown (D) leading Jon Husted (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 48% to 44%.

Ohio Senate Race
Sherrod Brown (D) 48%
 
Jon Husted (R) 44%
 
Marist Poll poll · likely voters · ±4.5%
Ohio Governor’s Race
Amy Acton (D) 50%
 
Vivek Ramaswamy (R) 43%
 
Marist Poll poll · likely voters · ±4.5%

Elon Musk Is in Democrats’ Oversight Crosshairs

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“Democrats are eyeing many targets as they make plans to probe corruption in and around President Donald Trump’s administration should they win control of the House next month,” Politico reports.

”Few loom larger than Elon Musk.”

“The world’s richest man and nine-figure Republican donor has emerged as a man of intense interest to several potential committee chairs — not to mention scores of rank-and-file Democratic lawmakers — who see multiple fronts for investigations.”

The Bulwark: Kara Swisher warns Elon Musk: A reckoning is coming.

RNC Moves $50 Million to Help Midterm Candidates

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“Taking advantage of a recent Supreme Court decision, the Republican National Committee is sending tens of millions of dollars to help the party’s midterm candidates. The long-awaited move adds to the GOP’s considerable financial advantages, especially in Senate races, despite a tough political environment,” the New York Times reports.

“The RNC, which entered September with an enormous $126 million on hand, told The New York Times that it was finishing moving more than $50 million to the groups overseeing the party’s efforts to elect House and Senate candidates. The cash infusion, significantly larger than what Republicans have done in the past, is something that the troubled and financially struggling Democratic National Committee is incapable of doing.”

The Most Awkward Senate Delegation Ever?

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“If Sherrod Brown wins his Senate race, Ohio’s delegation will be the most awkward in the chamber next Congress,” Semafor reports.

“Brown would have to serve with Republican Bernie Moreno, who defeated Brown in 2024 — and would likely become the leading tactician in charge of toppling the Democrat again in 2028. That’s thanks to a quirk in the Senate cycle math: Brown would have to run again for his seat in two years, against a National Republican Senatorial Committee that Moreno is likely to take over for the 2028 campaign.”

“Brown and Moreno never spoke after Moreno’s 2024 win, according to a person familiar with the matter. They also never debated.”

Are Democrats’ Midterm Expectations Too High?

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“Democrats are hungry for a blue wave in the November election, and a series of recent polls has them thinking they could pull off victories in some deeply red territory that would have seemed unthinkable a few months ago,” CNN reports.

“Expectations for the party are so high that one could envision a fair amount of disappointment in the party — and celebration among Republicans — if Democrats don’t shoot the moon on Election Day and take control of both chambers of Congress.”

Said David Axelrod: “I think Democrats are in striking distance in enough states to have a really good day. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they fell short of taking over the Senate.”

Marine Le Pen Seizes On French Chaos

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“The riots sweeping France have rocked the country’s political establishment, but one person is positioned to emerge from the chaos with a stronger hand: Marine Le Pen,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“For more than a decade, the far-right leader has cast France as a nation adrift, buffeted by waves of immigration and lawlessness that have torn at the country’s social fabric. As bands of hooded rioters in dark clothing have descended on city centers across France, raiding city halls and looting thousands of stores, Le Pen has sought to present herself as the sole candidate in this spring’s presidential election willing to restore order.”

“The strategy was on display this week as Le Pen released a video address that bore the hallmarks of a president addressing the nation. Seated at a desk before an august bookcase and flanked by France’s tricolor flag, Le Pen cast the riots as a crisis of faith in President Emmanuel Macron’s authority.”

Foreign Policy: Why is France perpetually rioting?

JD Vance Stays Out of Netanyahu Reelection Bid

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“Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection bid, saying he intends to stay out of Israel’s election despite President Donald Trump throwing his support behind the Israeli leader,” Fox News reports.

Trump Casts Zelensky as Obstacle to Peace

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“President Trump’s intensifying effort in the past few weeks to rehabilitate Russia and usher President Vladimir V. Putin back into diplomatic society is remarkable for its speed, its characterization of Mr. Zelensky as the primary obstacle to peace, and its brazen denial that Russia is continuing the war that Mr. Trump says he is trying to end,” the New York Times reports.

Said Trump: “Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine. They haven’t been doing much.”

In contrast, he added: “We’ve given a lot to Ukraine. They’ve given nothing to us. Remember that.”

U.S. Holds Up Patriot Missiles for Ukraine

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“The Trump administration has not approved the transfer of interceptor missiles to Ukraine that are needed to protect the country from Russian missile and drone attacks, a delay that comes as President Donald Trump has embraced Russia and slammed Ukraine in recent weeks,” the Washington Post reports.

Another Bonus Quote of the Day

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“They’ve been telling us for years that an independent vote is a wasted vote. Well, a great question for our times is, has that unwasted vote been working out for you?”

— Matthew McConaughey, quoted by Fox News.

Taegan Goddard

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.

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