The David Pakman Show 11/26/25: Leaked call exposes Trump as approval craters, Republicans raise alarm
Nov 26, 2025
A leaked call reveals Steve Witkoff coaching Russian officials on how to flatter Trump. In public, Trump misreads this manipulation while struggling to answer key policy questions, losing credibility on various fronts. Polls show his approval plummeting in states he previously won, especially among independents. Meanwhile, debate arises over leadership at the FBI amid reports of Kash Patel's misuse of resources. Plus, Turning Point USA hints at a post-Trump future with J.D. Vance emerging as a potential successor.
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Flattery Over Strategy
- A leaked call shows Steve Witkoff coached Russian officials to flatter Donald Trump to win a lopsided peace plan for Putin.
- David Pakman argues this reveals Trump's foreign policy is driven by ego rather than U.S. strategic interests.
Scripted Praise Worked
- The transcript of Witkoff coaching Yuri Ushakov shows specific scripting to placate Trump with praise and call him a "peaceman."
- Pakman stresses Trump accepted the praise and publicly bragged, proving he was manipulated.
National Security Risk From Ego
- Pakman says the deal favored Russia: Ukraine and NATO lose while Putin wins.
- He frames this as a national security risk because adversaries learn to weaponize Trump's ego.
