Can the Democrats stop Trump?
Dan Balz, The Washington Post’s former chief political correspondent, has covered every midterm election since 1978. This cycle, the country may again be facing a sea change in Washington.
Jason and Dan discuss President Donald Trump’s historically low polling numbers, the issues driving voter turnout, and what the balance of power in Washington could look like if Democrats retake control of Congress.
Today’s show was produced by Josh Carroll and Layli Nazarova. Video by Daniel Mich. Editing by Ted Muldoon.
00:00 Donald Trump’s instinct to declare elections he loses “fraudulent”
00:32 Freedom Desk with Jason Rezaian introduction
01:17 Dan Balz’s history of covering midterm elections in the U.S.
01:35 The most important midterm of our lifetime?
02:06 How every midterm is a “change election”
03:01 Donald John Trump operates mainly by executive action
04:08 Trump’s 33% approval rating, Washington Post poll analysis
04:45 Generic ballots, explained
05:57 Democrats have advantage in polls about economy
06:32 The importance of turnout in a midterm election
06:41 The economy and Iran war driving turnout
07:00 Is gas affordable right now in the U.S.?
08:04 Do Republican voters think Iran war was a mistake?
08:40 Dissatisfaction with Trump vs. fear of Democratic control of Congress
09:40 Trump rattling the cage of democracy
10:16 Will Trump call it a rigged election if the Republicans lose big?
10:33 Spreading misinformation about non-citizens voting, voter fraud
11:20 Trump’s efforts to shut down mail balloting, Supreme Court ruling
12:09 Trump’s efforts to restrict press access to White House, travel pool
13:01 Most presidents can not like coverage and still support free press; not Trump
13:56 Trump’s undermining of Stars and Stripes magazine independence
15:08 Trump’s previous gains in Hispanic community
16:22 Potential midterm outcomes
16:47 Possible House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and possibly impeaching SecDef Pete Hegseth
17:40 How Democrats could tackle affordability
18:16 Rising support for DSA (Democratic Socialists) candidates, left-wing turn in party
19:20 Abdul El-Sayed’s race for Michigan Senate vs. Mike Rogers
22:17 Trump’s obsession with the White House ballroom and demolished East Wing
23:28 Midterm races to watch
23:37 Susan Collins Senate race in Maine vs. Troy Jackson
23:53 Former Senator Sherrod Brown’s race in Ohio
24:03 Texas Senate race, Ken Paxton vs. James Talarico
24:55 Freedom Desk credits
