Wertheimer Political Report, July 23, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21
New polls show the problems currently facing Trump and Republicans
New national polls show that President Trump is deeply unpopular, voters are dissatisfied with his handling of the economy, and Democrats are leading ahead of the midterm elections.
A Fox News poll found that 39 percent of registered voters approve of Trump’s performance, while 60 percent disapprove. Democrats lead Republicans by 53 percent to 46 percent on the national House ballot, the highest share Fox has recorded for either party since 1996. Trump’s approval falls to 33 percent on the economy, 27 percent on inflation, and 34 percent on Iran.
An Economist/YouGov poll found Trump’s approval rating among men hit an all-time low, and that his overall approval rating remains deeply underwater. His overall rating was at 36 percent approval and 60 percent disapproval. His net approval among men, once one of his strongest groups, has fallen to negative 22 points.
Trump claimed this week that Americans support the Iran war but provided no evidence to support his claim. Silver Bulletin’s average of polls on the Iran war shows the opposite: roughly 34 percent support it, while 58 percent oppose it.
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
U.S.-Saudi Deal Prompts Fears of a Global Nuclear Arms Race.
“In Europe, Asia and the Middle East, countries seek nuclear capabilities to hedge against aggressive neighbors and a receding Washington, potentially creating a more freewheeling era.” — New York Times
Saudi nuclear deal in doubt as Trump adds new condition regarding Israel.
“A day after the agreement was signed, the president laid out a new requirement: that the Saudis normalize relations with Israel.” — Washington Post
Staff warned of major security risks from giving UAE new tech access. The White House went ahead anyway.
“Commerce Department staffers recommended against loosening export restrictions on the Gulf ally in previously unreported warnings, arguing it could make it easier for China to get its hands on sensitive American technology.” — Politico
‘A politically impossible situation’: New poll shows Trump voters losing patience with Iran war.
“The share of MAGA voters who think the war is worth the economic cost has fallen to roughly over a third, down from 50 percent in May, the POLITICO Poll found.” — Politico
How Trump Is Getting Richer in Office.
“In his first term, President Trump presided over the largest business empire of any president in modern U.S. history.” — New York Times
Paying for early access to Trump’s Truth Social could raise big money and major ethical issues.
” America’s first billionaire president may soon be profiting from a new line of business tied to his office: charging access for a first peek at certain posts on his Truth Social platform.” – Associated Press
Trump promoted 20+ companies on social media after buying their stock.
“President Donald Trump has shared dozens of social media posts promoting companies that he had newly invested in days prior, creating what experts called an ‘ethics disaster.'” — The Daily Beast
We asked 2,600 Americans about Trump’s ballroom, pool and arch projects.
“President Donald Trump’s personal dedication to building a large White House ballroom and a 250-foot triumphal arch and remodeling the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have sparked fierce criticism, lawsuits and federal charges over peeling paint.” — Washington Post
“Zero Evidence”: How Judges and Grand Juries Have Rejected the Trump Administration Efforts to Investigate and Prosecute.
“The second Trump administration has tried to use the federal government’s broad power to investigate alleged violations of law and gather evidence against a wide range of people, institutions, and activities. The administration’s targets have included perceived political opponents and critics, journalists, as well as public institutions (e.g., an election office) and private institutions (e.g., hospitals). What stands out is not simply how the administration has aggressively tried to use these powers in novel ways against those targets. It is also that courts and grand juries have repeatedly refused and rejected the administration in their attempts to do so.” — Just Security
DOJ will withdraw subpoenas against New York Times journalists over Air Force One reporting.
“The Justice Department on Thursday said it would withdraw subpoenas issued to several New York Times reporters earlier this month over their reporting on security concerns regarding the new Air Force One jet gifted by Qatar.” — The Hill
Top Treasury Tax Official Ousted After Clashes With White House Over IRS Audits.
“Kenneth Kies warned that political officials risked breaching a law that limits who can influence tax enforcement.” — Wall Street Journal
Trump’s Kiss of Death.
“Donald Trump is the black-thumb president. Let’s start small. He persuaded FIFA to quash the one-game suspension of the U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, after which the American men’s soccer team suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Belgium.” — New York Times
Hegseth’s ‘Pentagon Purge’: 2 officers say they were forced out for questioning policies.
“Concerns are growing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is denying promotions and pushing out officers who raise questions about his directives.” — MS Now
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Republican lawmaker urges charges against Jack Smith. The criminal referral could provide a catalyst for a prosecution of Mr. Smith, who as special counsel became a top target of the president’s retribution campaign. — New York Times
For two hours Wednesday, away from the cameras, in a room just steps away from the Senate chamber, a group of powerful lawmakers rehearsed for some of their darkest fears about November’s midterm elections: disinformation triggering voter-roll purges in key states before Election Day, National Guard troops deployed to polling places as voters cast their ballots and the machinery of a free election seizing up in real time. — MS Now
Thune responds to Leavitt quip that Trump’s patience with him ‘running out’ over SAVE America Act. — The Hill
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
Democrats have a massive outside cash problem. The three main GOP party committees and their two caucus-aligned super PACs have nearly twice as much cash on hand as their Democratic equivalents. — Politico
North Carolina not so quietly pushes Trump’s efforts to restrict the vote. While SAVE Act flounders in Congress, states are doing his work and then some. — Roll Call
Wisconsin Democrats hurtle toward an uncertain finish in topsy-turvy governor primary. With the primary just weeks away, a series of developments has shaken up what was already a wide-open race in the key battleground state. — NBC News
Democratic National Committee set to take key vote towards determining its 2028 presidential calendar. Nevada and South Carolina are among states making cases to be first in line. — ABC News
