A New Low

Overview

G. Elliott Morris of Strength in Numbers argues that President Trump’s political standing is at historic lows. He cites approval and “net approval” breakdowns of:

• -22.2 on overall job performance
• -40.3 on handling the economy

Morris claims Trump’s economy approval is so poor it even “broke the scale” of the graph on a data portal.

Why Republicans’ “just turn out” argument doesn’t fit

The commentary argues that Republicans’ explanation for electoral losses—“people just need to turn out”—doesn’t match what voters are signaling. The core claim is that voters dislike what Trump is doing.

Polling highlights

• White House East Wing “giant ballroom” plan: opposed about 2-to-1 (56% oppose, 28% support), including 47% strongly opposed.
• Trump-branded fiscal ideas, including the “signature on paper money” concept: 68% oppose vs. 12% support (and 40% of Republicans oppose).
• Iran strikes: Reuters–Ipsos poll shows 34% approve and 61% oppose.

Energy costs and the Iran conflict

Rising energy costs are presented as an ongoing consequence of geopolitical conflict.

• Brent crude briefly tops $114/barrel
• Senator Angus King says higher prices are costing consumers about $700 million per day

Economist Paul Krugman argues that Trump’s Iran policy is strategically self-defeating. He claims:

• Iran likely won’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz (which previously carried ~20% of the world’s oil) until Iran sees relief from a US blockade
• Iranian officials have little incentive to trust Trump due to his history of breaking deals
• The central problem is framed as Trump’s ego driving attempts to extract concessions without clearly defining what he can realistically demand

Congressional and administrative conflict over war and governance

The video emphasizes conflict between Congress and the administration over the war and broader governance.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies to congressional committees about a $1.5 trillion defense budget and the Iran war.
• Democratic leaders argue the war was initiated unilaterally, without strategy or evidence, leaving the US in a worse strategic position, with claims including:
  • Hormuz is now closed
  • losses have mounted
  • readiness and morale have suffered

War Powers Act dispute

The discussion returns to the War Powers Act: after 60 days, the president must either end hostilities or seek approval. It also notes that:

• Senate Republicans block another effort by Adam Schiff to require Trump to end the war.

“Congress doesn’t need to interfere” claim

House Speaker Mike Johnson is quoted arguing Congress doesn’t need to intervene because the US is “not at war.”

Corruption and incompetence themes

The segment argues there is both corruption and incompetence.

Corruption examples

• A $24 million Pentagon contract tied to a startup backed by Eric Trump
• Reports that the Air Force agreed to buy drones from a firm backed by Trump’s sons

Incompetence / governing dysfunction

After a 76-day shutdown, House Republicans pass a Homeland Security funding measure while cutting or withholding funds from ICE and Customs and Border Protection, described as political maneuvering—particularly after delays despite earlier Senate unanimity.

Electoral strategy: changing rules over policies

The video argues Republicans are seeking better election outcomes through rule changes rather than policy changes.

• State-level mapmaking and court rulings enabling more aggressive redistricting
• A Supreme Court decision described as weakening standards against partisan discrimination and “gutting” effective protections for minority voters
• Potential retaliation/counter-retaliation by Democrats:
  • Democrats in some states are said to be considering their own gerrymanders and new protections to preserve minority voting power
• Comments by Hakeem Jeffries asserting that the Voting Rights Act has been struck, and that communities of color will fight back

Legislative obstruction and electoral focus

In electoral strategy and legislative obstruction, the segment quotes Trump arguing for ending the filibuster to pass laws faster, and suggests he is focused on upcoming elections—complaining he’s not on the ballot while claiming unusually strong poll numbers. It also references a reading of a letter to the public by Heather Cox Richardson.

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Presenters or contributors

• G. Elliott Morris (Strength in Numbers)
• Dan Diamond (The Washington Post)
• Scott Clement (The Washington Post)
• Pete Hegseth (US Secretary of Defense)
• Sen. Jack Reed (Democrat, Rhode Island)
• Sen. Tim Kaine (Democrat, Virginia)
• Sen. Adam Schiff (Democrat, California)
• Sen. Angus King (Independent, Maine)
• Paul Krugman (economist, Substack)
• Mike Johnson (House Speaker, Republican)
• Ryan Nobles (NBC News)
• Monica Alba (NBC News)
• Alexander Marquez (NBC News)
• Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader, Democrat)
• Jeff Landry (Governor of Louisiana)
• Heather Cox Richardson (Letters from an American)
• Michael Moss (music composer)
• Soundscape Productions (production credit)