AI Summary
5 min readDonald Trump is facing what his own strategists are calling a potential political wipeout in the midterm elections, with polling that has Republicans in open panic and Democrats eyeing their biggest congressional gains in decades. On The Rest Is Politics: US, co-hosts Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay dissect the numbers, the psychology, and the White House’s flailing attempts at distraction—before turning to Xi Jinping’s state visit and the uncomfortable truth that Trump now needs China far more than China needs him.
The Polling Collapse That Has the White House Freaking Out
Since Labor Day, roughly two dozen major polls have landed, and the message is brutal for Republicans. Katty Kay reports that the NPR/Marist poll now shows Democrats ahead on all four of the top voter issues: gas prices, inflation, immigration, and foreign policy. Even immigration—the issue that powered Trump’s 2024 victory—has flipped. “Remember how far ahead the Republicans were on immigration,” Kay says. “That is largely why Donald Trump got elected in 2024. That has totally flipped.”
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:40) **Episode Introduction & Washington Atmosphere** - Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay set up the episode, discussing the tense mood in Washington D.C. under the Trump administration.
- 2 (04:21) **The Blue Wave Warning Signs** - The first major segment focuses on polling data that suggests a massive Democratic wave is building for the midterms.
- 3 (06:40) **Scaramucci's Fear: "Deus Ex Machina" on the Election** - Scaramucci expresses a deeper concern beyond just losing the election.
- 4 (10:42) **The Trump Coattail Problem & Hispanic Voter Shift** - Kay provides data showing Trump's presence on the ballot does not help other Republicans, and key voting blocs are turning away.
- 5 (13:48) **Role-Playing: The "Orange Maniac" Scenario** - Scaramucci performs a dramatic role-play as an advisor confronting Trump about his failed strategy.
- 6 (16:56) **The Driscoll Resignation & GOP Media Distancing** - The discussion turns to a key resignation and the broader abandonment of Trump by his media base.
- 7 (19:55) **The Press Ban Backfires as a Distraction** - The hosts analyze Trump's attempt to ban media outlets from the White House.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Why are Republicans distancing themselves from Donald Trump? Could Hispanic voters be the key to the biggest blue wave in 50 years? And, does China's President Xi hold all the cards?
Join Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci as they answer all these questions and more.
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