GOP facing 2026 nightmare as Trump spirals

The David Pakman Show

David Pakman

News, Politics

4.8 • 6.2K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2026

⏱️ 74 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

-- On the Show -- Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins us on Substack Live to discuss how Donald Trump’s escalating rhetoric, institutional pressure, and personality cult dynamics fit into historical patterns of authoritarianism -- Republican senators warn that Donald Trump’s controversies and economic anxiety threaten to cost the Republican Party control of both the House and the Senate in the midterms -- Donald Trump forgets that he already endorsed Clay Fuller, claims total exoneration in the Jeffrey Epstein matter, and appears disconnected from key details surrounding his own allies -- Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly blames Donald Trump for fostering a bullying political culture that she warns could damage Republican chances in the midterms and deepen internal fractures within the movement -- New polling shows Donald Trump’s approval rating at 34 percent, with economic frustration and cost of living concerns driving sharp erosion among financially struggling voters -- Dan Bongino reverses years of claims about hidden Jeffrey Epstein evidence after leaving the FBI, now saying the agency lacks the explosive material once promised -- Donald Trump posts a series of aggressive Truth Social messages attacking Democrats, threatening executive action on voter identification, and lashing out at critics including Bill Maher -- On the Bonus Show: Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84, Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked his James Talarico interview, Colorado could remove all penalties for prostitution, and much more... 🥐 Wildgrain: Use code DAVID for $30 off & free croissants FOR LIFE at https://wildgrain.com/david 🛌 Helix Sleep mattresses: Get 27% OFF sitewide at https://helixsleep.com/pakman 💪 AG1 is offering you $126 in FREE gifts at https://drinkag1.com/pakman -- Become a Member: https://davidpakman.com/membership -- Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter: https://davidpakman.substack.com -- Get David's Books: https://davidpakman.com/echo -- TDPS Subreddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/thedavidpakmanshow -- David on Bluesky: https://davidpakman.com/bluesky -- David on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidpakmanshow (00:00) Start(01:19) GOP fears midterm losses(07:52) Trump forgets endorsement chaos(18:18) MTG blames Trump culture(25:24) Trump approval hits 34%(32:41) Ruth Ben-Ghiat interview(58:21) Bongino reverses Epstein claims(1:05:45) Trump Truth Social rant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:59.0	Republicans are starting to panic behind the scenes.
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