Jim, excellent idea on the “ fireside chars”. Yes the televised cabinet meetings are great but seem to theatrical. Face to face talk with the people. Everyone so tuned in to seeing complex problems/ situations solved in the length of time of a TV program. Trump should admit it’s going to take longer to solve inflation than originally believed. He did that with Ukraine/ Russia peace deal. Hope someone can get his ear. Cheers
Thanks, Chuck, The Democrats have played their hand pretty well so far, a shutdown to slow Trump's economic agenda, and then utilising Antifa to act in a way that requires a tough response, which will then be shown by their partners in the mainstream press and turn regular citizens against the president's and ICE's enforcement actions. It's so easy to illegally allow 10 million-plus into the country; not so easy to get them out. Especially the bad guys.
Anticipate a January 2026 Democrat shutdown. Need ICE to ramp up deportations and message far and wide an increase from $1000 to $2000 exit bonus, prior to midterms. Broadcast how to access payment to exit. Hold local govt officials accountable for aiding and abetting “bad guys”.
For the record, I have been a loyal Trump supporter to the detriment of social connections that I mourn. And now I suggest anyone look up Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation letter for a perspective on his turning on her, calling her a traitor, for insisting he release the un-redacted Epstein files, something he had promised to do. I fear that none of us at the citizen level can truly comprehend how deep the evil is in our system of Government. And I stand firm that I am AMERICA FIRST even as I watch my own Government take Israel First positions. I am not worried about petty nick-names or off the cuff remarks, I am concerned with the continued supplying of weapons to Ukraine, and posturing and threatening to get us into more Forever Wars over access to energy and raw materials. I am horrified that Pfizer CEO Bouria has been praised at the White House when I want to see him and the rest of the cabal behind the disaster of the mRNA fraud indited and exposed as true traitors. I had high hopes for the many talented people he attracted to his side in this second term, and I believe good intentions fueled DOGE and the ICE deportations. But I am demoralized as I see the economy faltering as we continue to prioritize military spending, causing the debt spiral of cities and citizens to increase. I want to believe in MAGA; after all, what is the alternative? But Trump is making it harder when he turns on his supporters and gives fuel to his critics.
Well said. I agree with Victor David Hanson's warning that the next year will be full of the Trump Derangement Syndrome as the Democrats desperately search for a theme for the midterm. For example, the attempt to extend Obamacare another year so the next debate would hit the midterm. Another example is the Democrats are arguing that there should be an arms length between Trump and the DOJ while raging that he should require the DOJ to releases the Epstein stuff after four separate Democratic judges have blocked it.
Trump‘s biggest enemy is not Trump. So this article is completely fallacious as an argument. Trump plays chess while his critics play checkers… Or don’t play anything at all because they’re too stupid to understand how politics really works. Politics is the art of the possiblein the realm of the probable. Trump understands this and this is why he’s always one step ahead, or two or three or four or five or six or seven ahead of all of his critics.
"Trump plays chess while his critics play checkers"
Stop idolizing this man, he is not God. Trump isn't ahead of anyone here by calling MTG, a formerly staunch ally a "traitor" for wanting these documents on Epstein exposed to the public.
Trump is a man, a very flawed man who gets by thanks to his base, not his intellect.
Mark: is it politically wise to leave his supporters, voters, in the dark, informed only by simplistic, biased media ? Wise to focus on foreign versus domestic issues? Chess is a complicated game.
Your plan please. We want to live a balanced affordable life, safe from harm, protected from costly invaders, free from daily political crap.
Well… Certainly that is the desire to live a balance life, safe from harm, snuggled in a warm bed, free from foreign entanglement and biased media. But you cannot argue with reality every time you try to argue with reality you’re going to lose and the reality is… You have lost the majority vote. Now you have to ask how do we allow that to happen? Well since I ran unsuccessful, Campaigns for Andy Caldwell and Chris Mitchum I can tell you how you lost. You didn’t do the heavy lifting to win elections. You were busy clipping your stock, coupons, and flying off to your timeshare in Acapulco… Or playing golf and hitting innumerable golf balls into the air… Or catching fish in releasing them into the pond. In other words, you abandon the role of a political activist… The hard work, precinct canvassing, fundraising, cultivating new energetic candidates. As long as you do, this, you will never win an election on the central coast… And history has proven me correct.
I agree. You make my very point for me. The central coast GOP has no machine to increase their voter registration. They will not spend the money to do so. They will not hire competent political activists to get that job done. I agree. Chris Mitchum came close 3.7 lost to Lois caps. She was so scared of that narrow victory. She resigned to her fate. Andy lost by a greater margin… 12.3% then he did the first time he ran against CAPS
What does this tell you? It tells you that the Democrat machine is superior to the GOP machine in voter registration, turning out the vote and investing large amounts of money to get that job done. Money is the mother’s milk of politics.
Mark McIntire is DEAD ON FOLKS. "The central coast GOP has no machine to increase their voter registration." A long time ago I watched the Republican Party just thrash Democrats in CALI and that is History. How did they do it. Organized from Top TO Bottom with MONEY from BIG DONORS complete with GRASS ROOT folks pushing the Narrative and EXECUTIIIIING. Sound Familiar, it is because that is the Democrat Party in CALI. They CONTROL and RUN CALI and in-the-process CORRUPTED EVERYTHING.
Many Trump Administration positives, however, Trump has bad optics plus a messaging problem to voters on domestic issues. In addition to FDR style Fireside Chats, Trump needs Vance and appointed messengers messaging on domestic populist issues daily on a variety of media. Otherwise, it will get ugly after November, 2026. Anticipate another impeachment attempt and arrests, if Democrats take control. The 95 day 2026 Congressional “work calendar” released by Speaker Johnson is an insult to every MAGA and Trump voter. America First, Citizens First is being ignored. Tell us we matter beyond our vote.
To be respected, Trump needs to act presidential, stop favoring oligarchs, and cease self profiting business deals - selling off our country, our tech - to Saudi enemy & others, building Trump resort hotels in foreign countries, ... In addition why is Trump selling trinkets phones, watches, etc, cheapening the office of POTUS?
Too many of Trump’s pardons are a disgrace, simple wrong. He’s proven, confirmed that we’ve a multi-tiered judicial system. Rich who like him are his favored class; pardoned regardless of their crime. Special privileges to his favored class sicken voters.
Trump needs some better prepared, informed appointees not FOX talking head loyalists.
For starters, I hope he has fired Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee by now. What a disgrace, how stupid, hosting traitor Jonathan Pollard. Send Mike back to pushing Relaxium drugs.
Those of us who follow this stuff have always realized that the midterm elections of 2026 had the probability of going in a negative direction for Republicans. Despite the results of the 2024 election, there was never a guaranteed positive outcome for the next. And we’ve learned (though frankly, we’ve known this all along) that the public is a fickle mistress. Regardless of the words of felicity pronounced by even longtime supporters, political love affairs have a way of dissipating quickly; even the most stalwart enthusiasts can be swayed by temperament and/or events.
Let me count the ways (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning) that Donald Trump, our President and Commander-in-Chief, has fallen afoul of the public’s embrace.
He could lose support by responding callously to real injustices.
President Trump’s initial response to Margorie Taylor Greene’s criticism of his handling of the Epstein Files is a case in point. Greene co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie to force the House to vote on unsealing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Representative Greene – up until then one of President Trump’s most ardent supporters – realized that the president had reneged on his promise to open the files to the public and had not even tried to explain why he simply dropped the idea.
So, Greene joined Epstein survivors at a Capitol press conference on November 18, where she criticized Trump for not releasing the files, despite his earlier campaign promise to do so.
Trump dubbed her Marjorie “Traitor” Greene on Truth Social and claimed that she’d gone bad after he ignored her calls. He hinted that a pro-Trump super PAC (MAGA Inc.) might back a primary challenger against her and that she turned on him because he wouldn’t support her bid for governor or senator in Georgia.
Greene defended herself at that November 18th press conference, saying that, “I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for... I gave him my loyalty for free.” She emphasized she had won her first election without his endorsement and refused to be treated as owing him allegiance, adding, “Loyalty should be a two-way street.”
She’s right, of course.
Resignation and Aftermath
On November 21, 2025, Greene announced her resignation, positioning herself as the “true MAGA champion” cast aside by Trump’s inner circle.
This is all quite ugly and reveals President Trump’s strong points.
In fact, it makes him look petty!
The president’s support could also leak away by his continuing to promise more than he can deliver. Or, by not explaining what exactly he and his Republican Party partners hope to achieve, how they expect get there, and how long it may take.
We would like Republicans to prevail in the 2026 mid-term election. If they don’t, the chaos achieved by his second term will come to a screeching halt. And should a Democrat take the presidency in 2028, well, you know what will happen...
We should want that.
Fireside Chats Called For
The voting public is often misinformed but isn’t stupid. An Oval Office speech (or two, or three) would go a long way in explaining and maybe amplifying everything the president and the Republican Party have done to expose the conditions that the administration had so badly mishandled.
President Trump could pivot the conversation as to how the Biden administration, by printing some $7 trillion in “emergency” funding after the pandemic had subsided had led to the serious inflation that Trump is not able to contain.
It would also be good if he, right alongside Treasury Secretary Bissent, outlined how the 70-year international trade imbalance between the U.S. and the rest of the world had helped China achieve great power status for the U.S. by insisting on inexpensive products. And that it was folly that he and his team attempt to fix those terms by way of more equitable tariffs.
President Trump and the team he has cobbled together (Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health & Human Services head RFK, Jr., Attorney General Pam Bondi, “Border Czar” Tom Homan, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, FBI Director Kash Patel, EPA Director Lee Zeldin, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, et al.), are the most incompetent team ever to hold these offices and have done much damage in short time.
We have much to be thankful for, the least being Trump’s defeat of “Cackling” Kamala Harris. He has eliminated a crucial low wage workforce, done away with DEI (Diversity! Equity! Inclusion!) at the federal level, exacerbated Iran’s nuclear ambitions, created chaotic relations with Israel, Japan, and other key allies, alienated the military, taken extra-judicial killing on suspected drug cartels, failed to broker peace in a number of incipient and/or ongoing international conflicts, created chaos of critical industries back in the U.S., attracted billions of dollars in new investments for his family from around the world, and, well, we simply need him out of here.
If Democrats take the House in 2026, it’ll get ugly. We’ll be able to restore justice and resolve the bickering over the panoply of crap that his party has embraced.
This proposed series of fireside chats defining how bad it has really become – would go a long way in explaining to the public in how vital the stakes are and why he should be eliminated from the job.
The chats would go a long way too in shoring up his impeachment… and his supporters.
Excellent article that needs to reach the ears of those Republicans that do not vote . Our history proves the sacrifice that was made for the freedom we take for granted day by day, by those who gave up their young lives . And here we have Republicans too busy , too complacent , or don’t believe any longer that elections matter not voting . Please the bubble will pop . It will take your personal rights away and we will look like many other “progressive “ left - communists countries very soon .
"panoply "????????? I'll bet he writes for a living.
Regardless, TDS is real, and with a conversation just yesterday I pointed out he has been in office less then a year. It surprised the fellow I was talking with.
From my view a more nuanced hand would be better and still achieve the same outcomes.
OK, with the serious and rapid downhill slide of the "Other guys" to radical socialist and or Communist politics this is a very narrow path.
When you see cities crashing with both ANTIFA style rioters, and increasing debt built year after year, will their lefty side have the will or tools to stop debts that the upper middle class on down can cover?
So the next time your friends from the Left box themselves into a corner, gently remind them they voted for unsustainable budgets and "give me" politics.
In Baseball there is an unofficial statistic known as a “unforced error,” which is when an average player muffs a play that should have been made. Unfortunately, Trump has made a number of unforced errors which have damaged his legacy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m MAGA through and through, but it does seem frustrating when people ask the question “do you support what he has said,” calling women “pigs” or calling others “stupid,” even though I may agree on some level. It’s called “self control” that we are all taught at a very early age!
I’m I a fan of MTG? Absolutely not. She comes off at times as a low class loud mouth and her ignorance shows. But calling her a “traitor,” or saying Marjorie Taylor “Brown” is so unnecessary and unproductive to our cause.
Should the Socialists regain the House in the midterms it’s game over. What could be done in the meantime? For starters, STFU and stop with the name calling. Think long term and stop with settling petty scores.
Trump should get the message out on all the positive things he and the administration have achieved. To date, I don’t recall any fireside chats or even a formal Presidential address.
As for getting illegals out, it could have/should have been done more discreetly and quietly. Did Obama publicize all the deportations his administration conducted? Nope. The optics of yanking people out of their church or school is horrible, although probably rare. We need the Latino vote in order to continue our vital mission.
We know what we’re up against should the left regains power, God help us all if they do. Let’s stop making it easy for them, even though we all need to bite our lip at times, myself included.
1000% If the left, among others would STOP the RELENTLESS pursuit of the last 10 years of Trump, perhaps the removal of illegals could indeed be more of a covert operation. But you’re right, no one knew that Obama was deporting illegals, he also wasn’t constantly pursued by the media.
But it all leads back really to Trumps mouth, it needs to CLOSE more often PERIOD. And the name calling makes him seem like such a Toddler. It’s embarrassing & yet I do admire somewhat that HE IS unapologetically HIMSELF.🤷🏻♀️🇺🇸🙏
I agree, I guess that nobody has the courage to tell him to " engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear". It's just who he is, and while you know exactly where you stand with him, it's his weakness. Unfortunately for people who voted for him , and many others like me, it will be a big problem. He's always done this since his first elect campaign in 2015. I don't appreciate it, even though it's funny. Sometimes he shows maturity, and especially this term, but he should try and be more restrained. I don't want a lame duck presidency After 2026, and not a Democratic presidency in 2028.
I agree with your observations, Jim. I'm now living in Georgia in MTG's favorite town no less. I have mixed feeling about her. She hasn't responded to my emails when I've looked for assistance the past few years and I now don't understand her "quitting" attitude which seems childish to me. After all, how many elected politicians simply quit when they aren't happy or things aren't going their way? Trump's bolstering bravado is disturbing, resembling a lot of spoken BS. There's too much of Trump's so-called "saving the world" theme. These Trump "defects" will likely cost the Republicans votes in the future. He makes himself too visible, IMO. If I hear about the "Big Beautiful Bill" again, I think I'll puke <g>!
I agree on the childishness of MTG, and I WISH he would STOP constantly “patting himself on the back” WE KNOW all that you’ve accomplished thus far, just STOP talking about it. Humility goes a LONG way, not sure it’s in HIS DNA🤷🏻♀️
Personally I WISH he’d focus on the home front.
He’s got his work cut out with the mess left behind for him to step into.
I still BELIEVE, aside from his flaws (we ALL have them) he IS a strategist & has done a wonderful job, aside from his mouth. I believe too that he loves America second to HIMSELF!
I agree on his need to deal with the country. I also believe his tariff stuff was carried off too early in his administration. He could've waited till the economy showed sufficient improvement ... would appear the tariffs would remove dollars from people's pockets.
Bill R- Unless there’s a major turnaround, improved messaging, other Congressional reps and Senators are expected to retire or quit rather than face defeat in November, 2026. Trump is feared. MTG stood for women, for MAGA; she messaged well. She qualified for her lifetime Congressional pension plus reportedly profited millions while in Congress, as do other politicians. Give thanks for what MTG accomplished!
We need to remember that it was not so long ago that there was a huge and very public rift between President Trump and Elon Musk. No one was happy about that. I'm similarly unhappy about how MTG has been treated. I love what Trump has accomplished for our country and have been a supporter since early in the 2016 campaign. I have never wavered in that, but MTG is correct: Loyalty is a two way street. I'm glad Jim Buckley wrote that. I agree.
Yeah - Trump is just too childish. He shoots himself in the foot and can't stand any legitimate criticism or simply any fraternal correction. He's and his supporters will lose if he continues to alienate people who otherwise support him because his ego cannot handle it.
It's curious how he can speak with Mamdani cordially, at least on live television - and so harshly treat an ally of his.
Does the MAGA movement not prop itself one as "unity party", in the sense of being composed of disparate groups? I distinctly recall such terms being used when RFK endorsed Trump - can you really have a unity party as defined by the union of people with differing viewpoints when their leader and champion is so against even mild criticism?
Trump truly needs to keep quiet at time and just let people, however much it hurts him - speak their minds. I don't even follow these events, but even I know MTG was hardly condemning the man before he blew up on her, he is completely out of line, and it's not going to help his base [in addition to emboldening his opposition]. I have no stake in this, but for those who do, get that man out of public view for a while.
Great article, Thank YOU!
One way we can HELP is to contact “Reform California “ & request or download & print petitions to REQUIRE VOTER ID.
I’ve sent 3 in so far & am “ Pounding the Pavement “ to turn in more. We MUST secure the California VOTE.
Jim, excellent idea on the “ fireside chars”. Yes the televised cabinet meetings are great but seem to theatrical. Face to face talk with the people. Everyone so tuned in to seeing complex problems/ situations solved in the length of time of a TV program. Trump should admit it’s going to take longer to solve inflation than originally believed. He did that with Ukraine/ Russia peace deal. Hope someone can get his ear. Cheers
Thanks, Chuck, The Democrats have played their hand pretty well so far, a shutdown to slow Trump's economic agenda, and then utilising Antifa to act in a way that requires a tough response, which will then be shown by their partners in the mainstream press and turn regular citizens against the president's and ICE's enforcement actions. It's so easy to illegally allow 10 million-plus into the country; not so easy to get them out. Especially the bad guys.
Anticipate a January 2026 Democrat shutdown. Need ICE to ramp up deportations and message far and wide an increase from $1000 to $2000 exit bonus, prior to midterms. Broadcast how to access payment to exit. Hold local govt officials accountable for aiding and abetting “bad guys”.
For the record, I have been a loyal Trump supporter to the detriment of social connections that I mourn. And now I suggest anyone look up Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation letter for a perspective on his turning on her, calling her a traitor, for insisting he release the un-redacted Epstein files, something he had promised to do. I fear that none of us at the citizen level can truly comprehend how deep the evil is in our system of Government. And I stand firm that I am AMERICA FIRST even as I watch my own Government take Israel First positions. I am not worried about petty nick-names or off the cuff remarks, I am concerned with the continued supplying of weapons to Ukraine, and posturing and threatening to get us into more Forever Wars over access to energy and raw materials. I am horrified that Pfizer CEO Bouria has been praised at the White House when I want to see him and the rest of the cabal behind the disaster of the mRNA fraud indited and exposed as true traitors. I had high hopes for the many talented people he attracted to his side in this second term, and I believe good intentions fueled DOGE and the ICE deportations. But I am demoralized as I see the economy faltering as we continue to prioritize military spending, causing the debt spiral of cities and citizens to increase. I want to believe in MAGA; after all, what is the alternative? But Trump is making it harder when he turns on his supporters and gives fuel to his critics.
Well said. I agree with Victor David Hanson's warning that the next year will be full of the Trump Derangement Syndrome as the Democrats desperately search for a theme for the midterm. For example, the attempt to extend Obamacare another year so the next debate would hit the midterm. Another example is the Democrats are arguing that there should be an arms length between Trump and the DOJ while raging that he should require the DOJ to releases the Epstein stuff after four separate Democratic judges have blocked it.
Trump‘s biggest enemy is not Trump. So this article is completely fallacious as an argument. Trump plays chess while his critics play checkers… Or don’t play anything at all because they’re too stupid to understand how politics really works. Politics is the art of the possiblein the realm of the probable. Trump understands this and this is why he’s always one step ahead, or two or three or four or five or six or seven ahead of all of his critics.
"Trump plays chess while his critics play checkers"
Stop idolizing this man, he is not God. Trump isn't ahead of anyone here by calling MTG, a formerly staunch ally a "traitor" for wanting these documents on Epstein exposed to the public.
Trump is a man, a very flawed man who gets by thanks to his base, not his intellect.
You certainly have a right to express your opinion but… “This man continues to win” and you continue to lose
I'm not even playing the game. I'm a Catholic Monarchist. A Carlist. An Ultramontanist.
oh.
Mark: is it politically wise to leave his supporters, voters, in the dark, informed only by simplistic, biased media ? Wise to focus on foreign versus domestic issues? Chess is a complicated game.
Your plan please. We want to live a balanced affordable life, safe from harm, protected from costly invaders, free from daily political crap.
Well… Certainly that is the desire to live a balance life, safe from harm, snuggled in a warm bed, free from foreign entanglement and biased media. But you cannot argue with reality every time you try to argue with reality you’re going to lose and the reality is… You have lost the majority vote. Now you have to ask how do we allow that to happen? Well since I ran unsuccessful, Campaigns for Andy Caldwell and Chris Mitchum I can tell you how you lost. You didn’t do the heavy lifting to win elections. You were busy clipping your stock, coupons, and flying off to your timeshare in Acapulco… Or playing golf and hitting innumerable golf balls into the air… Or catching fish in releasing them into the pond. In other words, you abandon the role of a political activist… The hard work, precinct canvassing, fundraising, cultivating new energetic candidates. As long as you do, this, you will never win an election on the central coast… And history has proven me correct.
I agree. You make my very point for me. The central coast GOP has no machine to increase their voter registration. They will not spend the money to do so. They will not hire competent political activists to get that job done. I agree. Chris Mitchum came close 3.7 lost to Lois caps. She was so scared of that narrow victory. She resigned to her fate. Andy lost by a greater margin… 12.3% then he did the first time he ran against CAPS
What does this tell you? It tells you that the Democrat machine is superior to the GOP machine in voter registration, turning out the vote and investing large amounts of money to get that job done. Money is the mother’s milk of politics.
Accessing money, registering voters, ensuring voter turnout remains the goal, not shared by enough other Santa Barbara moderates and conservatives,
Mark McIntire is DEAD ON FOLKS. "The central coast GOP has no machine to increase their voter registration." A long time ago I watched the Republican Party just thrash Democrats in CALI and that is History. How did they do it. Organized from Top TO Bottom with MONEY from BIG DONORS complete with GRASS ROOT folks pushing the Narrative and EXECUTIIIIING. Sound Familiar, it is because that is the Democrat Party in CALI. They CONTROL and RUN CALI and in-the-process CORRUPTED EVERYTHING.
No Mark, Andy, Chris, and every other Republican candidate has lost in this county because of this.
114,000 registered Democrats.
62,000 registered Republicans.
10,000 registered Independents.
Many Trump Administration positives, however, Trump has bad optics plus a messaging problem to voters on domestic issues. In addition to FDR style Fireside Chats, Trump needs Vance and appointed messengers messaging on domestic populist issues daily on a variety of media. Otherwise, it will get ugly after November, 2026. Anticipate another impeachment attempt and arrests, if Democrats take control. The 95 day 2026 Congressional “work calendar” released by Speaker Johnson is an insult to every MAGA and Trump voter. America First, Citizens First is being ignored. Tell us we matter beyond our vote.
To be respected, Trump needs to act presidential, stop favoring oligarchs, and cease self profiting business deals - selling off our country, our tech - to Saudi enemy & others, building Trump resort hotels in foreign countries, ... In addition why is Trump selling trinkets phones, watches, etc, cheapening the office of POTUS?
Too many of Trump’s pardons are a disgrace, simple wrong. He’s proven, confirmed that we’ve a multi-tiered judicial system. Rich who like him are his favored class; pardoned regardless of their crime. Special privileges to his favored class sicken voters.
Trump needs some better prepared, informed appointees not FOX talking head loyalists.
For starters, I hope he has fired Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee by now. What a disgrace, how stupid, hosting traitor Jonathan Pollard. Send Mike back to pushing Relaxium drugs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Pollard
Please see edits below...
I’m confident.
Those of us who follow this stuff have always realized that the midterm elections of 2026 had the probability of going in a negative direction for Republicans. Despite the results of the 2024 election, there was never a guaranteed positive outcome for the next. And we’ve learned (though frankly, we’ve known this all along) that the public is a fickle mistress. Regardless of the words of felicity pronounced by even longtime supporters, political love affairs have a way of dissipating quickly; even the most stalwart enthusiasts can be swayed by temperament and/or events.
Let me count the ways (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning) that Donald Trump, our President and Commander-in-Chief, has fallen afoul of the public’s embrace.
He could lose support by responding callously to real injustices.
President Trump’s initial response to Margorie Taylor Greene’s criticism of his handling of the Epstein Files is a case in point. Greene co-sponsored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie to force the House to vote on unsealing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Representative Greene – up until then one of President Trump’s most ardent supporters – realized that the president had reneged on his promise to open the files to the public and had not even tried to explain why he simply dropped the idea.
So, Greene joined Epstein survivors at a Capitol press conference on November 18, where she criticized Trump for not releasing the files, despite his earlier campaign promise to do so.
Trump dubbed her Marjorie “Traitor” Greene on Truth Social and claimed that she’d gone bad after he ignored her calls. He hinted that a pro-Trump super PAC (MAGA Inc.) might back a primary challenger against her and that she turned on him because he wouldn’t support her bid for governor or senator in Georgia.
Greene defended herself at that November 18th press conference, saying that, “I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for... I gave him my loyalty for free.” She emphasized she had won her first election without his endorsement and refused to be treated as owing him allegiance, adding, “Loyalty should be a two-way street.”
She’s right, of course.
Resignation and Aftermath
On November 21, 2025, Greene announced her resignation, positioning herself as the “true MAGA champion” cast aside by Trump’s inner circle.
This is all quite ugly and reveals President Trump’s strong points.
In fact, it makes him look petty!
The president’s support could also leak away by his continuing to promise more than he can deliver. Or, by not explaining what exactly he and his Republican Party partners hope to achieve, how they expect get there, and how long it may take.
We would like Republicans to prevail in the 2026 mid-term election. If they don’t, the chaos achieved by his second term will come to a screeching halt. And should a Democrat take the presidency in 2028, well, you know what will happen...
We should want that.
Fireside Chats Called For
The voting public is often misinformed but isn’t stupid. An Oval Office speech (or two, or three) would go a long way in explaining and maybe amplifying everything the president and the Republican Party have done to expose the conditions that the administration had so badly mishandled.
President Trump could pivot the conversation as to how the Biden administration, by printing some $7 trillion in “emergency” funding after the pandemic had subsided had led to the serious inflation that Trump is not able to contain.
It would also be good if he, right alongside Treasury Secretary Bissent, outlined how the 70-year international trade imbalance between the U.S. and the rest of the world had helped China achieve great power status for the U.S. by insisting on inexpensive products. And that it was folly that he and his team attempt to fix those terms by way of more equitable tariffs.
President Trump and the team he has cobbled together (Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health & Human Services head RFK, Jr., Attorney General Pam Bondi, “Border Czar” Tom Homan, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, FBI Director Kash Patel, EPA Director Lee Zeldin, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, et al.), are the most incompetent team ever to hold these offices and have done much damage in short time.
We have much to be thankful for, the least being Trump’s defeat of “Cackling” Kamala Harris. He has eliminated a crucial low wage workforce, done away with DEI (Diversity! Equity! Inclusion!) at the federal level, exacerbated Iran’s nuclear ambitions, created chaotic relations with Israel, Japan, and other key allies, alienated the military, taken extra-judicial killing on suspected drug cartels, failed to broker peace in a number of incipient and/or ongoing international conflicts, created chaos of critical industries back in the U.S., attracted billions of dollars in new investments for his family from around the world, and, well, we simply need him out of here.
If Democrats take the House in 2026, it’ll get ugly. We’ll be able to restore justice and resolve the bickering over the panoply of crap that his party has embraced.
This proposed series of fireside chats defining how bad it has really become – would go a long way in explaining to the public in how vital the stakes are and why he should be eliminated from the job.
The chats would go a long way too in shoring up his impeachment… and his supporters.
Excellent article that needs to reach the ears of those Republicans that do not vote . Our history proves the sacrifice that was made for the freedom we take for granted day by day, by those who gave up their young lives . And here we have Republicans too busy , too complacent , or don’t believe any longer that elections matter not voting . Please the bubble will pop . It will take your personal rights away and we will look like many other “progressive “ left - communists countries very soon .
"panoply "????????? I'll bet he writes for a living.
Regardless, TDS is real, and with a conversation just yesterday I pointed out he has been in office less then a year. It surprised the fellow I was talking with.
From my view a more nuanced hand would be better and still achieve the same outcomes.
OK, with the serious and rapid downhill slide of the "Other guys" to radical socialist and or Communist politics this is a very narrow path.
When you see cities crashing with both ANTIFA style rioters, and increasing debt built year after year, will their lefty side have the will or tools to stop debts that the upper middle class on down can cover?
So the next time your friends from the Left box themselves into a corner, gently remind them they voted for unsustainable budgets and "give me" politics.
Good article Mr. Buckley.
CANNOT AGREE MORE!!!
In Baseball there is an unofficial statistic known as a “unforced error,” which is when an average player muffs a play that should have been made. Unfortunately, Trump has made a number of unforced errors which have damaged his legacy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m MAGA through and through, but it does seem frustrating when people ask the question “do you support what he has said,” calling women “pigs” or calling others “stupid,” even though I may agree on some level. It’s called “self control” that we are all taught at a very early age!
I’m I a fan of MTG? Absolutely not. She comes off at times as a low class loud mouth and her ignorance shows. But calling her a “traitor,” or saying Marjorie Taylor “Brown” is so unnecessary and unproductive to our cause.
Should the Socialists regain the House in the midterms it’s game over. What could be done in the meantime? For starters, STFU and stop with the name calling. Think long term and stop with settling petty scores.
Trump should get the message out on all the positive things he and the administration have achieved. To date, I don’t recall any fireside chats or even a formal Presidential address.
As for getting illegals out, it could have/should have been done more discreetly and quietly. Did Obama publicize all the deportations his administration conducted? Nope. The optics of yanking people out of their church or school is horrible, although probably rare. We need the Latino vote in order to continue our vital mission.
We know what we’re up against should the left regains power, God help us all if they do. Let’s stop making it easy for them, even though we all need to bite our lip at times, myself included.
1000% If the left, among others would STOP the RELENTLESS pursuit of the last 10 years of Trump, perhaps the removal of illegals could indeed be more of a covert operation. But you’re right, no one knew that Obama was deporting illegals, he also wasn’t constantly pursued by the media.
But it all leads back really to Trumps mouth, it needs to CLOSE more often PERIOD. And the name calling makes him seem like such a Toddler. It’s embarrassing & yet I do admire somewhat that HE IS unapologetically HIMSELF.🤷🏻♀️🇺🇸🙏
I agree, I guess that nobody has the courage to tell him to " engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear". It's just who he is, and while you know exactly where you stand with him, it's his weakness. Unfortunately for people who voted for him , and many others like me, it will be a big problem. He's always done this since his first elect campaign in 2015. I don't appreciate it, even though it's funny. Sometimes he shows maturity, and especially this term, but he should try and be more restrained. I don't want a lame duck presidency After 2026, and not a Democratic presidency in 2028.
See #8, interesting enough he doesn’t seem to say much about body language, emotions or creating an adversarial relationship.
https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/11-winning-negotiation-tactics-from-trump-s-art-of-the-deal.html
I agree with your observations, Jim. I'm now living in Georgia in MTG's favorite town no less. I have mixed feeling about her. She hasn't responded to my emails when I've looked for assistance the past few years and I now don't understand her "quitting" attitude which seems childish to me. After all, how many elected politicians simply quit when they aren't happy or things aren't going their way? Trump's bolstering bravado is disturbing, resembling a lot of spoken BS. There's too much of Trump's so-called "saving the world" theme. These Trump "defects" will likely cost the Republicans votes in the future. He makes himself too visible, IMO. If I hear about the "Big Beautiful Bill" again, I think I'll puke <g>!
I agree on the childishness of MTG, and I WISH he would STOP constantly “patting himself on the back” WE KNOW all that you’ve accomplished thus far, just STOP talking about it. Humility goes a LONG way, not sure it’s in HIS DNA🤷🏻♀️
Personally I WISH he’d focus on the home front.
He’s got his work cut out with the mess left behind for him to step into.
I still BELIEVE, aside from his flaws (we ALL have them) he IS a strategist & has done a wonderful job, aside from his mouth. I believe too that he loves America second to HIMSELF!
I agree on his need to deal with the country. I also believe his tariff stuff was carried off too early in his administration. He could've waited till the economy showed sufficient improvement ... would appear the tariffs would remove dollars from people's pockets.
Bill R- Unless there’s a major turnaround, improved messaging, other Congressional reps and Senators are expected to retire or quit rather than face defeat in November, 2026. Trump is feared. MTG stood for women, for MAGA; she messaged well. She qualified for her lifetime Congressional pension plus reportedly profited millions while in Congress, as do other politicians. Give thanks for what MTG accomplished!
We need to remember that it was not so long ago that there was a huge and very public rift between President Trump and Elon Musk. No one was happy about that. I'm similarly unhappy about how MTG has been treated. I love what Trump has accomplished for our country and have been a supporter since early in the 2016 campaign. I have never wavered in that, but MTG is correct: Loyalty is a two way street. I'm glad Jim Buckley wrote that. I agree.
Fantastic Comments!
Amen, Jim. Thanks.
Yeah - Trump is just too childish. He shoots himself in the foot and can't stand any legitimate criticism or simply any fraternal correction. He's and his supporters will lose if he continues to alienate people who otherwise support him because his ego cannot handle it.
It's curious how he can speak with Mamdani cordially, at least on live television - and so harshly treat an ally of his.
Does the MAGA movement not prop itself one as "unity party", in the sense of being composed of disparate groups? I distinctly recall such terms being used when RFK endorsed Trump - can you really have a unity party as defined by the union of people with differing viewpoints when their leader and champion is so against even mild criticism?
Trump truly needs to keep quiet at time and just let people, however much it hurts him - speak their minds. I don't even follow these events, but even I know MTG was hardly condemning the man before he blew up on her, he is completely out of line, and it's not going to help his base [in addition to emboldening his opposition]. I have no stake in this, but for those who do, get that man out of public view for a while.