RealClearPolitics Podcast Trump Gets His Prize
Jan 16, 2026
Jay Nordlinger, a music critic at The New Criterion and author of 'Onward and Upward,' shares insights on the political implications of Machado giving her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump. He discusses how this unusual gesture could influence U.S. policy towards Venezuela and sheds light on the challenges of holding legitimate elections under the Maduro regime. The conversation also touches on the complexities of media influence, Trump’s healthcare proposals, and the shifting landscape of U.S. strategy and populism.
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Pace Shapes Perception
- Trump's frenetic pace of taking on new issues creates voter fatigue and feeds perceptions of failure.
- Richard Porter suggests downshifting into a quieter 'sales mode' so accomplishments can surface to voters.
Slow Down And Let Wins Land
- Let policy wins breathe instead of constantly chasing new fights; highlight outcomes not motion.
- Richard Porter advises a strategic slowdown into a conservative 'Ike Eisenhower' phase into the campaign year.
Polarized Approval And Overexposure
- Trump's approval is polarized: strong GOP support but weak among independents, producing a midterm vulnerability.
- Carl Cannon argues overexposure and ego-driven gestures erode broader appeal even within his base.
