Trump No Longer ‘Behaving Like Somebody Who Cares’: Haberman
Trump no longer behaving like somebody – Maggie Haberman, a reporter for The New York Times, stated on Wednesday that President Trump is no longer exhibiting the behavior of someone who prioritizes public concern. In a recent interview on CNN, Haberman highlighted the president’s shift in focus, particularly his reluctance to support a bipartisan housing bill unless his voter ID legislation, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, is first enacted. This move, she argued, reflects a growing disconnect between Trump’s actions and the pressing issues facing the American public.
Focus on Voter ID Over Cost of Living
Haberman stressed to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that the cost of living has become a central concern for a significant portion of voters. She noted that this issue could determine whether Republicans retain their congressional majority in the November midterm elections. “This bill was supposed to deal with that, and the president just wasn’t interested,” she told Collins. “So, does the president care? He’s not behaving like somebody who cares. Maybe he will start to at some point, but he is not right now, and I’m not sure whether he particularly believes he will suffer consequences.”
“This bill was supposed to deal with that, and the president just wasn’t interested,” she told Collins. “So, does the president care? He’s not behaving like somebody who cares. Maybe he will start to at some point, but he is not right now, and I’m not sure whether he particularly believes he will suffer consequences.”
Haberman’s remarks underscored a broader critique of Trump’s leadership style. While the bipartisan housing bill aims to address rising living expenses, the president has chosen to delay its signing until the SAVE America Act is passed. This prioritization of voter ID legislation, which Trump has repeatedly called his top legislative priority, suggests a strategic emphasis on policies he deems more critical to his re-election prospects.
Strategic Shift in Polling and Decision-Making
In the same interview, Haberman and her colleague Jonathan Swan discussed their new book, “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.” Collins brought up a specific example from the book, noting that Trump now relies on fewer polls compared to his first term and often makes decisions based on instinct rather than data-driven analysis. “He looks at far fewer polls than he did during his first term and operates more ‘on pure gut instinct,’” Collins remarked, prompting Haberman to agree.
“On the one hand, yes, it’s similar to what we saw in term one, just in terms of sort of a sense for his party and some of his own staff of being erratic but is definitely consistent with trusting his gut more than ever.”
Haberman explained that this approach has led to a more unpredictable campaign strategy, with Trump frequently altering his positions based on personal convictions rather than public sentiment. While this method worked in the past, she warned that it could now pose risks for the Republican Party, especially as voters become increasingly aware of the stakes in the midterm elections.
White House Memo Reveals Strategic Priorities
According to Haberman, a White House polling memorandum from December highlighted the urgency of addressing the affordability crisis. The document stated that if Republicans wished to “make gains in the midterms and not suffer, they needed to be ‘honest’ with voters about the affordability crisis and try to find a way to deal with it.” However, Trump’s stance on the issue has since shifted, with him dismissing the problem as a Democratic fabrication.
“Trump said he considers passing the SAVE America Act — which he has said is his No. 1 legislative priority — ‘a National Emergency.’ He has pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to pass the bill by abolishing the filibuster, though Thune has refused to do that.”
The SAVE America Act, which mandates stricter voter ID requirements, has become a focal point of Trump’s midterm strategy. Despite bipartisan support for the housing bill, the president’s insistence on passing the SAVE America Act first has created tension within the Republican establishment. Haberman pointed out that this divide is not only political but also personal, as it reflects a deeper ideological rift between Trump and his allies.
Strained Relationships and Political Consequences
The president’s interactions with Senate Republicans have grown increasingly contentious, particularly over the administration’s approach to Iran. This tension escalated during a closed-door meeting at the Capitol, where Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) engaged in a heated exchange. Haberman noted that such confrontations reveal the strain in Trump’s relationships with key GOP figures, who feel sidelined by his unilateral decision-making.
“GOP senators have been frustrated with the president’s repeated calls to pass the SAVE America Act after failing to pass five different votes on the Senate floor.”
Despite the repeated failures to pass the SAVE America Act, Trump remains undeterred. His insistence on pushing the bill through has left many in the Senate GOP party feeling frustrated, as the legislation has become a symbol of his broader agenda. Critics argue that the bill’s passage is less about solving the voter ID issue and more about consolidating political power. However, Trump’s supporters maintain that the act is essential to preventing voter fraud and ensuring fair elections.
Impact on Midterm Elections
Haberman’s analysis suggests that Trump’s behavior may be inadvertently undermining his party’s chances in the midterms. By prioritizing his voter ID bill over immediate economic concerns, the president risks alienating moderate voters who are more concerned about rising costs. “The cost of living is a crucial issue among a large swath of Americans, and it could factor into whether Republicans maintain control of Congress,” she emphasized.
Collins pressed Haberman on whether Trump’s reliance on gut instinct could have lasting consequences. Haberman responded that while the president’s approach is erratic, it is also consistent with his broader pattern of prioritizing personal convictions over political pragmatism. “What we are seeing right now is very in line with the previous strategy, just in terms of a sense for his party and some of his own staff of being erratic but definitely consistent with trusting his gut more than ever,” she explained.
The situation highlights a critical challenge for the Republican Party: balancing Trump’s ideological demands with the need to appeal to a wider electorate. As the midterms approach, the question remains whether Trump’s current behavior will galvanize his base or alienate swing voters who are increasingly looking for solutions to the affordability crisis. Haberman’s insights, shared in her book and recent interviews, provide a stark assessment of the president’s evolving leadership style and its potential impact on the election outcome.
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