Conservative Analyst Warns Trump’s Vulnerabilities Threaten GOP

During a recent podcast interview, conservative analyst Bill Kristol expressed concerns that former President Donald Trump is creating significant vulnerabilities for the Republican Party. The discussion took place on an episode of The Bulwark Podcast hosted by Tim Miller, where Kristol highlighted the implications of Trump’s declining approval ratings.

Kristol pointed out that Trump’s approval rating has dropped eight points since he took office in January 2017. As of November 17, 2023, estimates from The Economist indicate that his approval stands at 39%. Kristol warned that this decline, along with Trump’s handling of pressing issues like the economy and renewed scrutiny regarding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, could lead to serious challenges for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.

In his remarks, Kristol noted that a portion of Trump’s coalition consists of mainstream Republicans who are increasingly disenchanted with his leadership style. He commented, “There’s some chunk of the Trump coalition, both the sort of normie Republicans out there who just look around what is all this with the ballroom and the gold at the White House, and he’s old and he’s falling asleep and it’s all about him.” This sentiment suggests that some voters feel Trump is not prioritizing their concerns.

The analyst emphasized that if Trump’s approval rating continues to decline, particularly if it falls to 38% or lower, the outlook for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms could be dire. Kristol’s comments reflect a growing unease within the party about Trump’s potential impact on the electoral landscape.

As the midterm elections approach, the Republican Party may need to address these vulnerabilities if they hope to maintain their foothold in Congress. Kristol’s insights serve as a warning that increasing dissatisfaction among voters could result in significant electoral challenges for the party.