With his initial victory in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump built a winning coalition that shocked the world. It was a coalition of working-class Americans, blue-collar workers, and disillusioned voters who were seeking change. Trump promised to make America great again and his message resonated with millions of Americans. However, just a year into his presidency, many are beginning to wonder if he’s losing that very coalition.
It’s not the first time that Trump has been the subject of premature political obituaries. Throughout his campaign, he faced numerous controversies and scandals that many believed would bring an end to his political aspirations. Yet, he defied the odds and emerged victorious. It seemed like nothing could stop him.
However, as his first year in office comes to a close, there are indications that the support that propelled Trump to the White House may be dwindling. The results of the recent midterm elections were not in his favor. Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives, and while Republicans maintained their majority in the Senate, they suffered significant losses in key states.
Furthermore, Trump’s approval ratings have been consistently low, hovering around 40%. This is a significant drop from the 45% approval rating he had at the beginning of the year. His controversial policies, inflammatory rhetoric, and constant attacks on the media have turned off many Americans.
In addition, key members of Trump’s administration, such as Chief of Staff John Kelly and Defense Secretary James Mattis, have resigned or been forced out. This has added to the chaos and instability within the administration, causing concerns among Trump’s supporters and even some within his own party.
It’s clear that the once-solid coalition that Trump built is starting to show cracks. So, what could be the reason for this decline in support?
One factor may be Trump’s failure to deliver on his promises. While he has made some progress on issues such as tax reform and deregulation, many of his other campaign promises remain unfulfilled. The wall on the US-Mexico border has not been built, and his attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act have failed. Additionally, many of his actions, such as imposing tariffs on China, have caused more harm than good to the economy, which was a key issue for many of his supporters.
Another reason for the decline in support could be Trump’s divisive rhetoric. His attacks on immigrants, the media, and political opponents have caused a deep divide in the country. While these tactics may have helped him during the campaign, they have not been as effective in governing. Many Americans are tired of the constant chaos and drama that seems to follow Trump wherever he goes.
Moreover, the ongoing investigations into possible collusion with Russia and violations of campaign finance laws have also taken a toll on Trump’s image. While he and his supporters have dismissed these investigations as a “witch hunt,” the constant drumbeat of negative headlines has had an impact on the way many Americans view him.
So, is Trump really losing his winning coalition? It’s too early to tell for sure. Trump has shown a remarkable ability to defy expectations and bounce back from challenges. However, if he wants to win re-election in 2020, he needs to start focusing on delivering results for the American people and bringing unity to the country.
Trump’s recent meeting with Democratic leaders to discuss issues such as infrastructure and criminal justice reform may be a step in the right direction. It shows a willingness to work across the aisle and prioritize issues that are important to all Americans, not just his base.
As for the premature political obituaries, they may continue to come, but Trump has shown that he’s not one to back down from a fight. Only time will tell if he can once again defy the odds and maintain his winning coalition. One thing is for sure, the next two years will be critical for Trump and his presidency. He will need to make strategic decisions and change his approach if he wants to retain the support of the coalition that brought him to power.
