The Brian Lehrer Show Thursday Morning Politics: Trump's Primetime Address; ACA Subsidies Fight
Dec 18, 2025
Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today and author, dives into President Trump's primetime address, critiquing his approach to economic messaging. She also discusses the fallout from a Vanity Fair profile of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. U.S. Representative Mike Lawler shares insights on the recent vote for ACA subsidies, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation and proposed healthcare reforms. He stresses the need for market-based solutions to improve the healthcare system while addressing the roles of insurers and middlemen.
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Approval Ratings Predict Midterms
- Presidential approval ratings are the strongest midterm predictor of party performance in Congress.
- Susan Page notes Trump's approval slipping into the 30s signals danger for Republicans next year.
You Can't Tell People How To Feel
- Presidents cannot successfully tell people how to feel about the economy; they must acknowledge perceptions and address problems.
- Susan Page says Donald Trump tried to assert the economy is better, but that usually fails politically.
Generational Change Masks Ideology
- Calls for generational change can mask ideological fights within parties.
- Susan Page notes both genuine age concerns and tactical use of "generational" language in primaries.