Donald Trump's Inner Circle Relinquishes Efforts to Sway the President's Decisions
White House officials and Republican lawmakers have largely stopped trying to persuade Donald Trump on major policy decisions, finding it increasingly futile to challenge his instincts. Aides and donors have noted that the president often pursues his preferred plans regardless of warnings, leading many to choose to humor his impulses rather than fight them. One longtime adviser noted that the president remains a dominant political figure whose influence is expected to last beyond his current term. While the administration announced several significant policies, including a $600 million ballroom project and a war in Iran, the president's personal style has led to a referendum on his popularity during the upcoming midterm elections. To mitigate potential losses for the GOP, the administration announced a plan to make the midterms a referendum on himself, spending millions on television ads and holding near-daily rallies. Despite the president's influence, some Republicans fear his low approval ratings could hurt their chances. In states like Kansas, the president's decision to end sales of the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier will likely impact local jobs, forcing downballot Republicans to defend the administration's economic policy.
Sources
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Trump’s Inner Circle Has Quietly Reached a Grim Conclusion
The Daily Beast
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Donald Trump’s Own Aides Have Reportedly Given Up Trying to Stop Him — Source
Yahoo
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“Why Bother?”: No One Is Even Trying to Rein Trump in Anymore
The New Republic
Paywall and unreadable sources
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GOP officials give up on futile Trump persuasion
Axios
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Opinion | The President Can’t Handle the Truth
The New York Times