Trump Faces Declining Approval and Internal GOP Friction Ahead of Midterms

Donald Trump is experiencing a decline in popularity and increasing friction within his own party as the U.S. midterm elections approach. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that the president's approval rating dropped from 37% to 35% in one month, bringing him close to the historic low of his second term. For the first time in nearly a decade, a plurality of polled registered voters, at 37%, believe the Democratic Party has a better approach to the economy than the Republican Party, which was favored by 36%. This shift follows a 25% increase in gasoline prices linked to the ongoing war against Iran.

Internal tensions are rising within the Republican Party. Some senators have signaled that the president lacks the votes to pass the Save America Act, a piece of legislation intended to restrict certain voters. Additionally, there is conflict surrounding the appointment of Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Blanche, who has served as acting Attorney General after the dismissal of Pam Bondi, has been involved in mass deportation campaigns and a controversial interview with Ghislaine Maxwell intended to clear the president of wrongdoing.

On the international front, the Trump administration revoked the visa of the Brazilian ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, citing delays in the diplomatic approval of Daniel Perez as the new U.S. ambassador to Brazil. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is seeing a shift toward progressivism, with a majority favoring policies such as universal healthcare and higher taxes for the wealthy.

Outlets with different political perspectives frame these events differently. A center-leaning source focuses on the economic data and polling shifts as the primary drivers of Trump's crisis. In contrast, a left-leaning source frames the president as cornered and desperate, suggesting he may interfere in foreign elections or use the justice system to target opponents as he faces potential impeachment.