Trump Gets Awful News as Opposition Grows in Alaska (with Mary Peltola)

October 15, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Alaska, describes the grim reality facing her state: "we're worried actually about Alaskans starving this winter or freezing to death because even last winter when the prices weren't as high as they are now, people were having to decide on a daily basis, am I going to heat my home or buy groceries?" This is the context for a Senate race that has drawn intense national attention, with Donald Trump making a rare presidential visit to the state to boost her opponent, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

Trump's Unpopularity and the State of the Race

The episode opens with polling data that paints a bleak picture for Trump in Alaska. The latest UGUb economist poll shows Trump's approval rating in the state at net negative 18. Alaska Survey Research finds only 35% of Alaskans approve of Trump, with 57% disapproving. The breakdown is stark: Trump is underwater with every demographic group, including rural Alaskans (net negative 42), women (net negative 36), college graduates (net negative 40), and even men (net negative 8). Native Alaskans also strongly disapprove.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Ad Break** - Culligan, Blueberries, SelectQuote sponsorships
2 (01:15) **Trump's Alaska Approval Is Deeply Underwater** - Host Ben opens with polling showing Trump net negative 18 in Alaska
3 (03:33) **The Reality of Alaska's Cost Crisis** - Peltola's viral post shows $40 paper towels and $50 Tide pods
4 (06:08) **Interview: Mary Peltola on Trump's Alaska Circus** - Peltola joins to discuss Trump's visit and the state of the race
5 (08:20) **Why Trump's "Everything Is Amazing" Message Fails in Alaska** - The president's rally ignored the actual suffering of Alaskans
6 (11:31) **Dan Sullivan's Conflicts of Interest** - Peltola details how the incumbent enriched himself through policies hurting Alaskans
7 (13:17) **Alaska's Defining Issue: Wild Foods Under Threat** - The cultural and economic centrality of hunting and fishing

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Mary Peltola

Show Notes

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump getting a rude awakening in Alaska as his high disapproval and growing opposition to his awful policies create an opening for Democrats. Meiselas breaks down why Trump’s Alaska visit failed to help his cause, then interviews Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola about her campaign and the fight to win over Alaska voters.

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