Podcast Summary: What A Day

Episode: Trump: Bigly Unpopular
Host: Jane Coaston (Crooked Media)
Date: January 22, 2026

Main Theme

This episode explores the plunging popularity of President Donald Trump during his second term, focusing on his recent attempts at foreign policy, his enduringly low approval ratings, and the implications for both parties going forward. Host Jane Coaston interviews Dan Pfeiffer to break down Trump’s current standing in national polls and the broader consequences of an increasingly unpopular—and increasingly unchecked—Trump presidency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Trump’s Greenland Saga and Foreign Policy Theater

• The episode opens with Jane Coaston satirically decrying "the good old days when hotel bathrooms had doors," setting a tone of skeptical humor.
• [00:12–00:40]
  Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. has formed a "framework of a future deal" regarding Greenland and the Arctic, declaring he will not impose scheduled tariffs.
• The supposed "deal" is ambiguous, with Jane noting that the U.S. already has a military base in Greenland (Thule Air Base). She concludes that much of the drama is largely bluster.
• Quote, Jane Coaston [01:21]:
  "All of this bullshit, threatening NATO allies and sending mean letters to Nordic leaders led up to a deal where we can build military bases in a place where we already have a military base."

Public Reaction: Intensely Negative

• [02:35–03:15]
  CNN’s Harry Enten notes that the idea of buying Greenland is historically more unpopular than even Trump’s handling of the Epstein files.
• Quote, Harry Enten [02:42]:
  "There is barely an issue out there that's worse for Donald Trump than the Epstein files. But any attempts to buy Greenland or use military force on Greenland... is one of them."

Trump’s Poll Numbers: “Subterranean”

• [03:15–04:10]
  Jane introduces Dan Pfeiffer, who analyzes just how badly Trump is faring:
  • Trump is “about 4 to 5 points further underwater than Joe Biden was at this point.”
  • There’s debate about the right benchmark (first or fifth year), but by any historical measure, Trump’s numbers are “very, very bad.”
• Quote, Dan Pfeiffer [03:46]:
  "Either way, his numbers are very bad."

Second Term Struggles

• [04:10–05:40]
  Pfeiffer attributes second-term woes to the “lame duck problem,” where presidents lose political momentum and parties begin planning for a post-president future.
  • Only Bill Clinton did notably well, owing to unusual impeachment circumstances.
  • Once approval drops in a second term, “they almost never come back.”

Issue-Based Unpopularity

• [05:40–07:21]
  Trump is now polling negatively even on his signature issues: immigration and the economy.
  • On immigration: His mass deportation focus is far less popular than his rhetoric about “securing the border.”
  • On the economy: Trump explicitly promised to lower costs, but prices have increased, largely blamed on his tariffs.
• Quote, Dan Pfeiffer [07:13]:
  "People now explicitly blame him for high prices. And he's paying a huge price, pun intended, in the polls for it."

Independent and Swing Voters

• [07:21–08:11]
  Independent voters, a crucial bloc that favored Trump in 2024, are rapidly abandoning him due to broken promises on cost of living.
  • This shift is echoed among Latinos, young voters, and working-class voters of color.
• Quote, Dan Pfeiffer [07:55]:
  "They made a bet that he would lower their costs and he has not fulfilled his side of the bet, and so they're abandoning them."

Congressional Dynamics: A Warning for Democrats

• [08:11–09:48]
  Despite Trump’s unpopularity, Congressional Republicans are polling better than Democrats on several key issues, even immigration.
  • Possible reasons: Democrats' general party trust is at “near its lowest level,” and they “have not given people a reason to trust us.”
  • On the generic ballot, Democrats lead—but only by about four points, signaling untapped potential given Trump's deep unpopularity.

The Trump Administration’s Communication Approach

• [09:48–11:24]
  Jane points out the lack of any real effort to sell Trump’s policies to the broader public, particularly absurd ideas like buying Greenland.
  • Pfeiffer explains that Trump and his team are uninterested in persuading anyone beyond their base, and now consider their job solely to fire up loyalists.
  • The team operates within a “right wing news bubble” and lacks both tools and interest to reach moderates or skeptics.

The Dangers of an Unshackled, Unpopular Trump

• [11:24–12:25]
  Jane and Dan discuss the paradox of Trump being both “never weaker politically and never more dangerous substantively.”
  • Pfeiffer highlights Trump’s willingness to break norms, such as deploying ICE troops to Minneapolis based on dubious conspiracy claims.
• Quote, Dan Pfeiffer [11:48]:
  "He has never been weaker politically and he's never been more dangerous substantively... he is a very wounded bear right now."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jane Coaston [01:21]:
  "All of this bullshit, threatening NATO allies and sending mean letters to Nordic leaders led up to a deal where we can build military bases in a place where we already have a military base."

• Harry Enten [02:42]:
  "Any attempts to buy Greenland or use military force on Greenland ... is arguably the most unpopular thing that Donald Trump can try to do."

• Dan Pfeiffer [03:46]:
  "Either way, his numbers are very bad."

• Dan Pfeiffer [07:13]:
  "People now explicitly blame him for high prices. And he's paying a huge price, pun intended, in the polls for it."

• Dan Pfeiffer [11:48]:
  "He has never been weaker politically and he's never been more dangerous substantively... you don't want to run into a wounded bear. And he is a very wounded bear right now."

Important Timestamps

• Greenland “Deal” Satire & Setup: 00:12–01:21
• CNN’s Harry Enten on Polling Disasters: 02:35–03:15
• Dan Pfeiffer Analysis Introduction: 03:15–03:46
• Second Term Curse Explained: 04:10–05:40
• Issue-Based Disappointment: 05:40–07:21
• Independents Jumping Ship: 07:21–08:11
• Republicans vs. Democrats in Congress: 08:11–09:48
• Communications Strategy Gap: 09:48–11:24
• Wounded Bear/Dangerous President Paradox: 11:24–12:25

Additional Segments (Brief Highlights)

• Supreme Court Case: (17:01–18:30)
  Supreme Court appears likely to block Trump’s attempts to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, reinforcing norms about the Federal Reserve’s independence.

• ICE Activities in Maine: (15:47–16:43)
  Local Maine officials decry a new aggressive ICE operation, with pointed local criticism of federal tactics under Trump.

• Letters & Analog Communication Resurgence: (19:16–20:35)
  Surprising note on the revival of handwritten letters as a form of meaningful personal communication, per Pinterest’s trend forecast.

Summary Takeaways

• Trump’s second term is historically unpopular, particularly on issues he once dominated.
• Even his base is shrinking as voters, especially independents, sour on broken economic promises.
• Democrats aren’t fully capitalizing on Trump’s woes, as party trust remains near historic lows.
• The Trump team remains insular, uninterested in persuading moderates or “selling” their policies.
• Danger remains high: as Trump loses popularity and constraints, he appears more willing to take unprecedented, norm-breaking action.

This episode balances sharp insight, humor, and pointed analysis—an ideal listen for anyone trying to understand the current political moment and the dynamics shaping the road ahead.