The Daily Beast Podcast Why Fading Trump, 79, Just Keeps Losing: Rothkopf
Sep 13, 2025
David Rothkopf, a foreign policy expert and former Clinton administration official, joins to discuss the chaotic recent weeks of Donald Trump's presidency. They explore Trump's vulnerabilities, both physically and politically, as well as the rising tide of political violence in America, particularly among alienated young men. Rothkopf highlights the embarrassment of Trump's allies and the diplomatic challenges faced by the U.S., questioning if we are witnessing the decline of both a president and Trumpism itself. Amidst this, Utah's Governor Spencer Cox emerges as a surprising voice of civility.
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Trump Shows Political And Physical Fragility
- David Rothkopf argues Trump has had no clear policy wins since returning to office and is visibly struggling under mounting pressures.
- Rothkopf connects political setbacks and personal health concerns to an overall impression of fragility in the presidency.
Moments That Made Trump Look Strained
- Rothkopf recounts moments when Trump looked disoriented: the droopy mouth photo and disappearing at the Yankee game.
- He says Trump appeared panicked when heckled at a Washington restaurant and struggled to handle the moment.
Violence Intensifies Political Stress
- Rothkopf links the murder of Charlie Kirk and recent assassination attempts to Trump's heightened fear about his own mortality.
- He suggests this environment of political violence is compounding Trump's stress and public perception of decline.