A new analysis suggests that President Donald Trump’s increasingly bizarre public appearances may have reached a political turning point, as even some of his longtime allies are becoming tired of his erratic behavior.
Columnist Margaret Sullivan wrote in The Guardian on Thursday that Trump’s rambling rallies, personal comments and obsession with his own popularity are now working against Republicans rather than in their favor.
The president has on several occasions encouraged his supporters to view next week’s midterm elections as a vote about him, even though he will not be on the ballot.
Last month, Trump told voters to pretend he was on the ballot, a plea he has continued making while campaigning for Republican candidates.
Sullivan doubted whether the strategy would work, since Trump was already struggling with his public approval ratings and voters remained frustrated about the cost of living.
She drew attention to a growing pattern of odd behavior in his public appearances, including sudden shifts from one subject to another, insults aimed at his political opponents and the familiar dance routines that conclude his rallies.
She also cited an analysis from The Independent that described his performances as becoming “increasingly detached from reality,” and that he “vacillates between topics to the point where his remarks border on the nonsensical and he ends every appearance by awkwardly dancing to the Village People’s well-known gay anthem YMCA”.
At the Kansas event, Trump referred to Democrats as “Dumocrats,” which she describes as the “level of presidential discourse” that Americans have become used to.
On other occasions, Trump has made detailed remarks concerning the physical appearance of male politicians. During an appearance in Kentucky, he described examining Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s body, discussing his shoulders and jawline before commenting on his muscular build.
The comments have highlighted an increasingly unpredictable campaign style, which Sullivan suggested might be alienating people beyond Trump’s most committed supporters.
Sullivan also cited Jason Riley, a conservative columnist for The Wall Street Journal, who observed that even some devoted MAGA supporters and congressional Republicans have grown tired of Trump’s behavior.
That criticism is significant because it does not come only from Democrats or longtime Trump opponents, but also from voices on the right.
The Guardian columnist argued that the president’s problems extend beyond his rally performances.
She pointed to his social media outbursts, treatment of longtime allies, allegations of self-dealing and misleading economic claims as additional reasons voters might decide not to support him.
At the same time, Trump has continued presenting himself as the central figure in elections across the country, telling supporters to imagine that a vote for a Republican candidate is a vote for him.
Sullivan suggested that the message might inspire his most loyal supporters, but it could also remind other voters of the behavior that has caused them to oppose the president.