Post Reports: The Trump Honeymoon is Ending Hosted by Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi | Released on February 21, 2025
Introduction In this episode of Post Reports, host Aaron Blake delves into the declining public approval of President Donald Trump, focusing on his recent policy shifts and their repercussions within the Republican Party and broader American society. Joined by congressional reporter Liz Goodwin and Pentagon correspondent Dan Lamoth, the discussion uncovers the complexities of Trump’s administration, especially regarding foreign policy, government spending cuts, and the evolving dynamics within the GOP.
Trump’s Shift on Ukraine and Foreign Policy
The episode kicks off with a critical examination of President Trump’s recent stance on Ukraine and its President, Volodymyr Zelensky. After the U.S. engaged in high-level talks with Russia without inviting Zelensky, Trump echoed Russia’s narrative, attributing blame for the Ukraine conflict to Ukraine itself.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [02:16]: “I think I have the power to end this war and I think it’s going very well. But today I heard, oh, well, we weren’t invited. Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it.”
Lamoth further dissects Trump’s false claim labeling Zelensky as a “dictator,” clarifying that while Ukraine has not held recent elections due to the war, the term misrepresents Zelensky’s leadership and Ukraine’s democratic processes.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [03:19]: “Yes, it’s true. There hasn’t been an election in quite some time. There's also been a discussion within Ukraine... we have a five-alarm fire on our hands at the moment.”
The discussion highlights the unprecedented nature of the U.S. negotiating with Russia without key allies at the table, drawing parallels to the Trump administration’s negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to unstable outcomes.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [04:04]: “...they ended up with a deal that was not really workable from the Afghan point of view. And that was a troubled ally in a lot of ways, but it still created a situation that was kind of a house of cards that eventually toppled.”
Republican Senators’ Response to Trump’s Foreign Policy
Liz Goodwin provides insights into the unease among Senate Republicans regarding Trump’s comments on Ukraine. While some GOP senators maintain strong support for Ukraine and opposition to Russia’s aggression, there is a noticeable split between more hawkish senators and those aligned with Trump’s “America First” ideology.
Notable Quote:
- Liz Goodwin [05:13]: “There is a split even among Republican senators who are more hawkish than their House counterparts. There are some Republican senators who are fully on the America first train and who talk about Zelensky the same way Trump does.”
Goodwin observes that while many Republican senators publicly uphold Ukraine, they refrain from directly criticizing Trump, possibly to avoid internal party conflicts or backlash from the MAGA movement.
Notable Quote:
- Liz Goodwin [07:30]: “...they portrayed Russia as the greatest geopolitical threat, or at least one of the greatest, and Putin is the aggressor... like Roger Wicker uses... There wasn't a lot of, like, actual policy prescriptions coming out of Senate Republicans.”
Public Opinion and Polling on Trump’s Policies
Aaron Blake introduces new Washington Post polling data that indicates a significant decline in Trump’s popularity, with approval ratings dropping to the mid-40s—contrary to the so-called "honeymoon period" of his presidency.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [11:47]: “I would say it's roughly been a split. It probably still is a split.”
The hosts engage in an interactive segment where Liz and Dan predict public approval of various Trump policies based on the polling data. Key findings include:
-
Mass Deportations: Slight majority support (51%) without considering specific demographics affected.
Notable Quote:
- Aaron Blake [12:43]: “The Washington Post poll showed that 51% supported the idea of deporting the 11 million or so undocumented immigrants in this country.”
-
Tariffs on Mexico and Canada: Highly unpopular, with a 2-to-1 ratio against.
Notable Quote:
- Aaron Blake [13:25]: “People generally liked the idea of tariffs when Trump was campaigning, but now they're about 2 to 1 unpopular.”
-
Firing Federal Workers: Significantly unpopular, with 59% opposition.
Notable Quote:
- Aaron Blake [13:57]: “It showed that was 21 points unpopular, 59% to 38%.”
-
Elon Musk’s Involvement in Government Efficiency: Poorly received, with Musk’s personal image 15 points underwater.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [15:04]: “I think he's probably become sort of a shield in some ways for the president.”
Government Spending Cuts and Republican Unease
The conversation shifts to Trump’s aggressive efforts to cut government spending, spearheaded by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. Liz Goodwin outlines how these cuts, executed through executive orders and Musk’s initiatives, are causing significant concerns among Republican senators who fear the impact on their districts.
Notable Quote:
- Liz Goodwin [19:33]: “...senators... are feeling frantic lobbying to make sure that programs that are important to their states are not permanently cut or are unfrozen.”
Goodwin highlights specific instances, such as Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s efforts to protect green school bus programs in West Virginia and Katie Britt’s lobbying to maintain funding for Alabama universities.
Notable Quote:
- Liz Goodwin [20:43]: “...Katie Britt in Alabama... has been lobbying the HHS Cabinet Secretary to make sure that funding is still flowing to universities in Alabama.”
The discussion also touches on the legal ambiguities surrounding the administration’s ability to impound funds without Congressional approval, referencing the Impoundment Control Act and potential legal challenges.
Notable Quote:
- Liz Goodwin [24:38]: “...some of these freezes and definitely some of the cancellations of funds, is illegal. If these procedures aren't followed... we'll see.”
Impact on the Defense Budget and National Security
Dan Lamoth discusses the Pentagon’s plans for significant budget cuts, which could amount to $50 billion annually over the next five years. These cuts are unprecedented, as defense budgets have traditionally grown steadily. Lamoth anticipates that such drastic reductions will lead to tough decisions on military programs and force structures, potentially affecting units tied to various congressional districts.
Notable Quote:
- Dan Lamoth [30:18]: “...seeing a discussion... we may have to draw down the size of the army by 5,000 soldiers, 10,000 soldiers...”
Lamoth emphasizes the political implications of these cuts, questioning whether the GOP can justify reducing military strength while maintaining national security.
Conclusion and Future Implications
Aaron Blake wraps up the episode by summarizing the challenges facing the Trump administration as its initial popularity wanes amidst controversial policies and internal GOP conflicts. The ongoing disputes over government spending cuts, foreign policy shifts, and legal battles over fund impoundment suggest a turbulent path ahead for Trump’s presidency.
Final Notable Quote:
- Aaron Blake [31:43]: “...it is something that’s going to be fascinating to watch, but that’s all we have time for for today’s episode.”
Key Takeaways:
- Declining Approval: President Trump’s approval ratings are slipping, with a majority of Americans disapproving of his presidency.
- Controversial Policies: Policies such as mass deportations and tariffs are largely unpopular, while support fluctuates based on implementation specifics.
- GOP Tensions: Republican senators are increasingly uneasy with Trump’s administration, especially regarding government spending cuts impacting their districts.
- Legal Challenges: The administration’s attempts to impound funds without Congressional consent may face significant legal hurdles.
- Defense Cuts: Potential massive reductions in the defense budget could have profound implications for national security and partisan relations.
For a more detailed analysis, listen to the full episode of Post Reports or visit WashingtonPost.com.