Trump Often Has a Point – But Not Much More
Whether we like it or not, Donald Trump time and again strikes a nerve and has a point. But often, that’s really all he has.
Yes, Europe should spend more on its own defense. But most Americans don’t want to see their own president be cozying up to Putin or pushing Ukraine toward surrender. Yes, Trump has a point on immigration, but many voters are disturbed by the violent images coming out of their cities as deportations ramp up. And yes, he has a point on trade, especially with China—but many American feel that broad, across-the-board tariffs against practically every country mostly mean higher prices at home.
So, while Donald Trump often has a point, he lacks the perseverance and willingness to move beyond the occasional bold move and headline-grabber. He shows little interest in well-thought-out policy. And setting Rubio aside, he really does not have the competent team required to carry out his agenda.
That is exactly why he is falling behind in the polls. Since he started his second term at the White House, his approval ratings have been going continuously down. At the time of writing, and according to the RealClearPolitics average, 42% of voters approve of the job he is doing while 55% disapprove.
When you are the challenger, your greatest advantage is the ability to criticize and exploit weaknesses—and Donald Trump is very good at that. But when you are the incumbent, people expect results. It is not enough to simply have a point.
Louis Perron