Tiana Lowe Doescher on Trump's Approval and Government Shutdown Dynamics

Shifting Blame in Government Shutdown

• 📊 A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows President Trump's approval rating at 42%, up two points, while 56% disapprove.
• 📌 In the same poll, 50% of Americans blame congressional Republicans for the shutdown, while 43% blame Democrats.
• 📈 Tiana Lowe Doescher notes that blame for the shutdown has shifted towards Democrats over time, a positive trend for Republicans.

Republican Base and Shutdown Impact

• 🎯 Only one-third of Republicans view the shutdown as a significant issue, compared to two-thirds of Democrats who see it as a crisis.
• ⚠️ The shutdown impacts fewer than 7% of Americans, specifically those receiving elevated ACA subsidies for high earners.

Economic Implications and Trump's Appeal

• 💰 Extending ACA subsidies carries a $450 billion price tag, contributing to higher interest and mortgage rates.
• 🚀 Trump's appeal is attributed to his personality and the perceived fiscal competence of his administration, evidenced by the 10-year Treasury yield falling below 4%.
• 🗣️ The speaker suggests that years of negative labeling against Trump have backfired, with real Americans benefiting from policies associated with him.

Democratic Leverage and Negotiation Tactics

• 🧩 Democrats are holding the government hostage over ACA subsidies for a small percentage of the population, which were intended to be temporary.
• 🤝 The current situation is framed as being in the Democrats' court, with key deadlines for ACA enrollment and SNAP benefits approaching.
• 🗣️ President Trump has stated he will not negotiate until the government is reopened, placing the onus on Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries to engage.