The dark spiral of power, panic and collapse

The David Pakman Show

David Pakman

News, Politics

4.8 • 6.2K Ratings

🗓️ 23 February 2026

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

-- On the Show -- Michael Wolff, journalist and best-selling author, joins us to discuss Trump's return to power, the Epstein scandal, and his latest book "All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America" -- Donald Trump attacks Supreme Court justices as disloyal and foreign-controlled after they strike down his tariffs as unconstitutional -- Republican leaders including Don Bacon, Mitch McConnell, and Rand Paul publicly reject Donald Trump’s attempt to reimpose tariffs, signaling a growing loss of influence within the party -- Donald Trump repeatedly asks advisers whether JD Vance or Marco Rubio should succeed him in 2028, revealing deep insecurity about his legacy and fear of backing a losing candidate -- Donald Trump posts an angry Truth Social rant claiming he gained power after losing at the Supreme Court, reframing defeat as victory while attacking the legitimacy of the judiciary -- New polling data highlighted by Harry Enten shows Donald Trump suffering his worst independent voter approval ratings and lowest pre-State of the Union numbers of either term -- C-SPAN confirms a caller using the name John Barron was not Donald Trump, exposing how online commentators amplified an unverified claim that fit existing narratives -- Donald Trump demands that Netflix fire Susan Rice after she criticizes corporate deference to him, raising concerns about presidential pressure on private companies 📜 Trust & Will: Save 20% on your estate planning at https://trustandwill.com/pakman 👖 Fair Harbor: Get 20% off with code PAKMAN at https://fairharborclothing.com 🩳 SHEATH Underwear: Code PAKMAN for 20% OFF at https://sheathunderwear.com/pakman -- On the Bonus Show: Winter weather disrupts production of The David Pakman Show, and much more... -- 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(01:39) Trump Attacks Supreme Court(07:39) GOP Rejects Tariff Push(15:04) Trump 2028 Succession Anxiety(21:22) Trump Reframes Court Loss(27:51) Trump’s Polling Collapse(35:01) Michael Wolff Interview(41:50) John Barron Hoax Debunked(48:38) Trump Targets Netflix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Something is changing in the administration, and I don't think it's very subtle.
0:04.6	What we are looking at is a series of events that all together paint a really striking
0:10.3	picture, escalating paranoia, shrinking power, and growing insecurity.
0:16.8	First, Trump launches a very dark meltdown after the Supreme Court, including justices
0:23.0	he appointed, ruled against him.
0:25.4	He calls them disloyal, suggests foreign control, and generally describes a view of presidential
0:31.2	power that doesn't sound very democratic at all.
0:34.4	And then something even more revealing.
0:36.8	Republicans and Congress are now just openly ignoring Trump.
0:40.8	His own party is blocking his reflexive tariff agenda.
0:46.5	Courts are limiting him and Trump doesn't know what to do.
0:49.7	And so that will take us to reporting that Trump is now privately asking, should I be leaning in the
0:55.7	direction of J.D. Vance to replace me when I leave? Or Marco Rubio as the head of the MAGA movement.
1:02.2	The insecurity of Trump is rising. Plus, what happens when approval numbers collapse to historic
1:09.8	lows and you are desperate for something
1:12.9	you can call an accomplishment.
1:14.5	Well, the State of the Union address is tomorrow and I believe it will play a role.
1:19.3	All of that and more today, whether you watch on YouTube, listen to the podcast on Apple
1:24.9	Podcasts or Spotify or just check out clips on Snapchat, TikTok or wherever.
1:30.7	Thank you.
1:31.1	I really appreciate you being here.
1:37.1	Well, we are watching something really interesting unfold here that goes well beyond just normal
	...

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