Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

9/22/26: Trump Approval Craters, AI Oligarchs Fight Regulation, Trump Bends Knee To Xi

September 22, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Trump Approval Craters, AI Oligarchs Fight Regulation, Trump Bends Knee To Xi

President Trump's approval rating has officially dropped below 30% for the first time, hitting 29% in a new American Research Group poll. The midterm landscape is shifting dramatically as voters in key states directly connect the Iran war and Trump's trade policies to their economic struggles at the gas pump and in their daily lives. Meanwhile, a new front has opened in the battle over AI regulation, with tech oligarchs spending millions to crush candidates who dare to propose safety standards, and Trump is preparing to roll out the red carpet for Xi Jinping in what appears to be a negotiation from a position of weakness.

The Midterm Map Shifts: Iowa and Michigan in Play

New polling reveals a political environment that could produce an 11-point swing toward Democrats compared to the 2024 presidential results. Nate Silver's analysis, based on fundamentals and generic ballot averages, suggests this swing would put states like Iowa and Ohio into toss-up territory and make even Texas competitive.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

  • 1 (02:15) **Midterm Preview & Trump Approval Craters** - Krystal and Saagar introduce the show's top story: a deep dive into new midterm polls showing Trump's approval at a historic low of 29%.
  • 2 (11:51) **Iowa Senate Race: A Blowout in the Making?** - New Marist/NPR polling shows Democrat Josh Turek leading Republican Ashley Henson 50-42 in deep-red Iowa.
  • 3 (14:59) **The National Mood: Trump at 29% Approval** - The hosts discuss the broader political environment, with Trump's approval cratering and voters feeling "disgusted" and "betrayed."
  • 4 (21:25) **Texas: A Tight Race Despite Economic Strength** - A new Texas Southern University poll shows the Senate race between Colin Allred and Ken Paxton at 47-46, and the Governor's race at 49-45.
  • 5 (26:50) **The 2018 Analogy and Republican Panic** - The hosts compare the current environment to the 2018 midterms, noting that late-breaking events can shift the race.
  • 6 (35:33) **Tech Oligarchs vs. AI Regulation: Interview with Alex Bores** - The show shifts to discuss the massive spending by tech billionaires to kill AI regulation, featuring an interview with New York Assemblymember Alex Bores.
  • 7 (46:30) **The Chilling Effect on Democratic Candidates** - Bores discusses how the tech industry's spending is silencing politicians.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Alex Bores

Show Notes

Krystal and Saagar discuss Trump's approval rating craters ahead of midterms, big tech oligarchs spend millions to block regulations, Trump bends knee to China ahead of Xi summit.

 

Kevin Roose: https://www.youtube.com/@machinegodspod

Alex Bores: https://www.alexbores.nyc/

 

To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com   

Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/   

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

More from this podcast

Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar →