Episode Summary

Podcast: The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Episode Title: The MAGA Agenda Is Sinking in Popularity. What Might Donald Trump Do?
Date: February 21, 2026
Hosts: Jane Mayer, Susan Glasser, Evan Osnos

Overview

This episode critically assesses Donald Trump’s waning popularity, his administration’s style of governance, and the resulting ramifications for both the Republican and Democratic parties as the midterms approach. The conversation draws a report card on what Trump has accomplished, the discontent brewing among both his own supporters and institutional America, and looks ahead to how Democrats and Republicans will navigate the volatile political climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Personalization of Power and Public Perception

• The show opens with the hosts referencing a huge banner of Trump at the Department of Justice, comparing it to authoritarian symbolism (“Pyongyang on the Potomac”) [01:14–01:57].
• Trump’s governing style is described as highly personal, focused more on consolidating executive power than serving policy goals [03:36–08:51].
  • Susan Glasser: “What is Trump trying to do right now except wield power for its own sake?” [06:22]
• Jane Mayer attempts an objective “report card” on Trump’s first year—acknowledging that by his own benchmarks (control, financial gain, dominance), he’s been surprisingly successful, while noting the corrosive effect on democracy [06:37–08:51].

2. Lackluster Economic Results and Growing Dissatisfaction

• Despite claims of economic prowess, job growth is stagnant, business confidence is low, and most Americans feel worse off than a year ago [09:53–10:55].
  • Evan Osnos: “Only 17% of Americans will say they are better off than they were a year ago, and twice that will say they're worse off.” [10:38]
  • Despite a strong stock market, the dollar's value has dropped, which is overlooked in pro-Trump economic messaging [08:51–09:53].
• Trade wars and tariffs have shown little benefit, and relations with Canada and Mexico have deteriorated [10:55].

3. America’s Eroding Global Standing and Foreign Policy Risks

• Trump’s foreign policy has made America more isolated and damaged longstanding alliances, as seen with increased antagonism toward Cuba and aggressive posturing toward Venezuela and Iran [11:51–14:28].
  • Susan Glasser: “America is more isolated in the world than it has been. It has scared the crap basically out of our friends and given heart to our adversaries.” [12:21]
• The administration's embrace of unilateral power and transactional global relationships is described as perilous, with concern about escalation in the Middle East [13:50–14:28].

4. Public Backlash and the MAGA Agenda’s Decline in Popularity

• Polls show Trump at a historic low point (“only 39% approve”; majority see his presidency as a failure) [17:22–17:54].
• Discussion of MAGA base loyalty (is there a floor?) and comparison to past American demagogues [17:54–18:53].
• Even core issues like immigration are turning against Trump, with many feeling his policies are extreme or cruel [14:28–16:00].
  • Evan Osnos: “His [Trump’s] highest measurements are for divisive, corrupt, cruel, and number one, is dangerous at 50%.” [15:57]

5. Republican Party Tensions and Leadership Vacuum

• Despite Trump’s unpopularity, Republican leaders remain subordinate—primaries are still driven by MAGA loyalty due to gerrymandering and primary dynamics [17:54–19:58].
• The hosts highlight internal fissures: establishment Republicans struggle to stand apart, and even MAGA-centric political figures are not immune to public backlash [19:58–21:22].
  • Susan Glasser: “Donald Trump on some level is the only person at this point who can rein in Kash Patel. Does anyone here think he's gonna be reigned in? No, of course not.” [21:22]
• Small rifts are noted, such as far-right supporters turning on Trump over issues like the Epstein scandal and environmental policy [26:04–27:12].
• The pressure for ever-greater extremism is discussed (e.g., anti-vaccine “maha moms”) [27:12–28:22].

6. The Democratic Response: Division and Activism

• The Democratic Party is described as divided between centrist and progressive wings, notably in ongoing debates like California’s wealth tax [29:52–32:21].
• Tactics for resisting Trump’s regime also split Democrats: some call for bold, in-your-face opposition (e.g., boycotting the State of the Union), others prefer presence and quiet dissent [32:21–33:54].
  • Susan Glasser (on Democrats’ attitude): “What does it all mean for the midterm elections?... There’s a difference of opinion about how great of an election it’s going to be.” [32:21–33:54]
• Despite Trump’s toxicity, Democrats also suffer from unpopularity—raising uncertainty about midterm outcomes [34:11].
• Noted enthusiasm and energy among younger Democrats and grassroots protest movements, which have doubled since Trump’s first term [35:36]:
  • Evan Osnos: “In 2025, there were more than 10,000 protests... more than double in 2017.” [35:36]
• Glasser warns against waiting for a “white knight” leader—emphasizing the healthier signs in grassroots activism [36:35–37:50].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Susan Glasser: "It's like Pyongyang on the Potomac over here." [01:14]
• Jane Mayer: “I came away thinking, actually, he's been kind of astoundingly successful by his own lights...” [06:37]
• Evan Osnos: “Every day you see him lose some more people and take some more power. That's the central dynamic here.” [05:17]
• Susan Glasser: “America is more isolated in the world than it has been. It has scared the crap basically out of our friends and given heart to our adversaries.” [12:21]
• Jane Mayer: "Corporate America has become complicit and cooperative with him... asserting unitary executive control." [06:37]
• Evan Osnos: "His highest measurements are for divisive, corrupt, cruel, and number one, is dangerous at 50%." [15:57]
• Jane Mayer (on Republican leadership): "We do not see them breaking with Trump at this point, do we?" [25:13]
• Susan Glasser: "Trump has sort of broken the Republican Party at the national level..." [24:39]
• Evan Osnos: "...there is this reservoir of energy out there. … in 2025, there were more than 10,000 protests..." [35:36]
• Susan Glasser: “Democracy is not an entitlement... people are seeing... what it means to have to pay into the democracy if you want to have it.” [36:35]
• Evan Osnos (on Trump’s Christmas message): "...as we all remember, Donald Trump’s heartwarming Christmas message, which was two dolls and one pencil for every kid." [38:41]

Important Timestamps

• 01:14 – Pyongyang-style authoritarian symbolism in Washington
• 03:36 – Trump’s obsession with midterm elections and inability to focus
• 06:37 – Trump's real “report card”: dominance, money, personalized power
• 09:53 – Economic dissatisfaction; jobs, stock market, business confidence
• 12:21 – America’s isolation and global fallout
• 15:57 – Public perceptions of Trump: “divisive, corrupt, cruel, dangerous”
• 17:22 – Recent polling on Trump’s national standing
• 19:58 – Republican primaries, base politics, and party fissures
• 26:04 – Epstein scandal and far-right backlash
• 29:52 – Democratic Party divisions and ideological fights
• 35:36 – Surge in grassroots Democratic protest activity
• 36:35 – Emphasizing grassroots democracy over a single savior

Conclusion

This episode offers a grim, sometimes wryly humorous state-of-the-nation analysis: Trump’s personal rule has shocked allies, fostered instability, and lost public trust, with deep implications for both parties. Democrats are energized but divided, Republicans remain under Trump’s thumb despite internal fissures. The conversation closes on the importance of broad, grassroots activism over hopes for a single, salvational leader.

For anyone navigating the current American political climate, this episode is a clear-eyed audit of power, disenchantment, and the urgent work of democracy.