THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump Explodes in Wild Fury at Poll that Hits Him with Worst News Yet
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Jan 23, 2026 Alan Elrod, a political theorist and founder of the Pulaski Institution, joins to dissect Donald Trump's explosive reaction to recent polling that reveals major public disapproval on key issues like immigration. They delve into Trump’s belief in power over democratic norms and discuss how this backlash signifies shifting tides for Democrats. Can elections really constrain Trump? Elrod argues that significant public opposition is crucial for Republican leaders to act. The conversation also highlights the need for bold institutional reforms to counter Trumpism.
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Trump Sees Polls As Vanity, Not Legitimacy
- Donald Trump treats polling as a vanity metric and asserts power, not democratic legitimacy.
- Alan Elrod says Trump's claims of popularity are assertions of authority rather than concern for legitimacy.
Polls Show Trump Coalition Unraveling
- The New York Times poll shows Trump deeply underwater across major issues, signaling coalition fragility.
- Greg Sargent and Alan Elrod argue the 2024 coalition unraveled and the nonwhite turnout snapped back to Democrats.
Authority Can Outweigh Popularity
- Even with low approval, Trump can wield power via institutions and coercive tools, reducing need for broad popularity.
- Elrod warns authoritarians need less popular support to entrench authority than to win elections.