Trump's Base Frustration Tests Republican Party Cohesion

Key Quotes

"this idea that people who long supported trump anything he would do anything he would say they would stand behind him they would defend him they would say everything he's doing is is correct have gradually begun to sort of put their heads up and say hey actually i disagree with this and we started to see some of that um this summer when um trump was first reluctant to release epstein files and and we saw maga voices start to perk up and say i i don't agree with all of this and it's it died off and then it picked back up this fall"

Natalie Allison explains that a segment of Donald Trump's base, previously unwavering in their support, has begun to voice disagreements. This shift, observed over recent months, indicates a growing willingness among some long-time MAGA supporters to question Trump's actions and statements. Allison notes this trend has resurfaced after a period of dormancy, suggesting a persistent undercurrent of dissent within the base.

"the maga people would go a step further than that and say well we also are really upset that donald trump hasn't locked people up in jail for having passed covid mandates you know the kinds of things that a median voter is not concerned about they would say we actually don't think donald trump has deported enough people"

Natalie Allison highlights specific grievances held by some MAGA supporters that extend beyond typical voter concerns. These voters are not only dissatisfied with economic issues but also express frustration over perceived failures to enact more extreme policies, such as jailing individuals for COVID-19 mandates or increasing deportations. Allison points out that these are issues that resonate less with the general electorate.

"mark micalle's point was that the president maybe doesn't seem to totally get what kind of trouble he could be in with his base there was also this story in vanity fair this week featuring trump's chief of staff susie wiles and it featured her saying some pretty unflattering things about trump and his administration"

Dan Merica discusses the insights of pollster Mark Micalle, who suggested that Donald Trump may not fully grasp the extent of his base's dissatisfaction. Merica connects this to a Vanity Fair profile of Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, which revealed critical remarks she made about Trump and his administration. This juxtaposition implies that even those close to Trump perceive internal issues with his connection to his supporters.

"susie wiles is someone who has not really told trump no very much she has said that she sees her job not to stop him from doing something but to help him carry out what he wants to do which is distinctly different from the first term"

Natalie Allison describes Susie Wiles's role as Chief of Staff, emphasizing her approach of facilitating Trump's agenda rather than obstructing it. Allison contrasts this with the strategy of the first Trump term, where aides reportedly attempted to rein him in. This indicates a shift in White House operations, with Wiles prioritizing execution of Trump's desires over imposing limitations.

"don't think that he's living up to his promises and essentially he says the president seems more interested in talking about golfing talking about golfing with lindsey graham and brett bear lindsey graham being the republican senator from south carolina who really now can no longer come out on stage at trump rallies because he gets booed he is so widely hated by the maga base seen as a neo con seen as too much of a traditional republican"

Dan Merica relays Mark Micalle's observation that Donald Trump appears more focused on leisure activities like golfing than on addressing his base's concerns. Merica uses the example of Lindsey Graham, a Republican Senator, being booed by the MAGA base, illustrating their strong negative reaction to figures perceived as traditional Republicans or "neocons." This suggests a disconnect between Trump's perceived priorities and the base's expectations.

"i mean it was essentially a rally speech where he was listing everything that he has accomplished and tried to accomplish mental institutions and asylums and the rally greatest hits it was very much a rally greatest hits but i think the truncated version of a rally greatest hits but the the real upshot of it was that it felt like this president who is insisting he had done more and achieved more in his first year at a time when polls and conversations with voters show that those folks who elected him to the white house are not feeling what he is saying he's achieved"

Dan Merica characterizes Donald Trump's primetime address as a condensed version of a rally speech, focused on past accomplishments. Merica notes that despite Trump's insistence on his achievements, polling and voter conversations indicate that his base is not experiencing the success he claims. This highlights a significant disconnect between the President's narrative and the perceived reality of his supporters.