The national nightmare is getting worse

Donald Trump's second term has become the most unpopular in modern history, with a net approval rating of -25 according to The Economist, as his promises to end wars and stabilize the economy unravel amid a prolonged conflict with Iran. The war, initially projected to last three weeks, has now stretched into its 15th week, with Trump repeatedly declaring ceasefires that fail to hold—eight times officially announced, yet hostilities continue. This pattern of broken promises, combined with the strategic petroleum reserve being drawn down for over 10 weeks, has left the U.S. with its lowest oil reserves in over two decades, driving up fuel and heating costs. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has escalated its war on independent media by placing host David Pakman on a list of 'media offenders,' a move that has backfired spectacularly, boosting his audience by over 20,000 new subscribers across platforms and pushing him to number five on Substack. The episode exposes a deeper crisis: a president who weaponizes chaos, denies his own campaign pledges, and attacks the press—while his base remains loyal despite mounting evidence of failure. The real test, the host argues, is whether voters will hold Republicans accountable in the midterms, even when Trump himself isn’t on the ballot, by removing their power to enable his agenda.