Trump's midterm strategy centers on demands for personal loyalty
In an opinion piece, Sidney Blumenthal argues that Trump's midterm campaign is based on a theme of unrequited love, demanding absolute devotion from supporters. Blumenthal suggests Trump's approach reflects a crisis in his cult of personality and is leading to increased unpopularity. The piece compares Trump's decline to historical presidential lows.
Blumenthal traces Trump's loyalty campaign to a mid-August Fox News interview where he commented on press secretary Karoline Leavitt's departure after childbirth, then repeated the joke at a South Carolina rally. The author interprets these remarks as revealing Trump's equation of fear with affection and his resentment of any competing attachment.
The piece compares Trump's standing to Nixon during Watergate, Truman during the Korean War, and George W. Bush during the 2008 financial crisis. Unlike those presidents, Trump's decline arrived earlier, persisted longer, and continues accelerating. Blumenthal cites the stalled Iran conflict, a new trade war with Canada, and a proposal to rename Lake Ontario as contributing factors.
This analysis suggests a president's demand for personal loyalty over policy substance could reshape how voters evaluate midterm candidates, potentially forcing Republicans to defend Trump's conduct rather than address local concerns. The comparison to historically unpopular presidents may influence public perception, though opinion pieces represent one perspective. If Trump's approach alienates moderate voters, it could affect congressional balance and legislative momentum on climate and other issues.