Trump's Isolation Grows as MAGA Coalition Feels His Grip

WHO:

CBS News - Political authors Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan discuss Trump's perception of power.

CBS News - Authors of "Regime Change" are Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.

Alternet - Critics of Trump include liberals, progressives, right-wing Never Trump conservatives, and libertarians.

Alternet - Sean Woods is a reviewer for Rolling Stone.

Alternet - Trump’s deputy chief of staff is Stephen Miller.

WHAT:

Alternet - A poll shows Democrat Sherrod Brown leading GOP incumbent Jon Husted in Ohio, 53 percent to 45 percent.

Alternet - Only 4 percent of those aligned with Trump’s MAGA movement backed Brown, while 31 percent of 'non-MAGA' Republicans supported the Democratic candidate.

Alternet - Only 18 percent of Americans say Trump’s Iran war has been useful, while 63 percent believe Trump’s policies benefit the rich and corporations.

Alternet - Only 16 percent approved of Trump’s UFC fight on the White House lawn according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Alternet - Woods describes Trump as "the most powerful man in the world — maybe in history," reflecting Trump's self-image.

Alternet - Woods quotes Trump as saying, "They always leave me. They always do this. This is why I can't have friends," in response to criticism from Elon Musk.

Alternet - Woods states that Trump's presidency has reached a "dreadful precipice" in just 18 months.

CBS News - "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump" describes Trump's fundamentally different approach to running the country.

Alternet - Woods describes "Regime Change" as "essential reading" for understanding Trump's chaotic and dysfunctional second presidency.

Alternet - Woods quotes Trump as saying, "They always leave me. They always do this. This is why I can't have friends."

Alternet - Woods notes that MAGA loyalists Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie and Tucker Carlson have split with Trump over the mishandling of the Epstein files and the Iran war.

Alternet - Former allies of Trump, including Mike Pompeo, Bill Barr, and Mike Pence, are now hostile to the White House.

WHY:

Alternet - Pollster Geoff Garin states that the illusions of non-MAGA Republicans have been shattered regarding Trump’s effectiveness.

Alternet - Haberman suggests that Trump's refusal to acknowledge a Congress that is no longer beholden to him could lead to a constitutional crisis.

Alternet - Woods states that the MAGA coalition is held together by Trump's will and fear of his wrath.

Alternet - Woods suggests that the second Trump presidency is viewed as worse than the first by critics.

HOW:

Alternet - The non-MAGA segment of the GOP, currently about 40 percent, is increasingly aligning their attitudes with those of self-described independents, who have largely abandoned Trump.

Alternet - Swan notes that if Republicans control either the Senate or the House, they will likely work in Trump's favor, impacting U.S. democracy.

Alternet - Woods describes Trump's presidency as chaotic and dysfunctional, with a lack of safety checks compared to his first term.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 21:22 UTC)

A recent poll indicates that Democrat Sherrod Brown is leading GOP incumbent Jon Husted in Ohio, with a significant 53 percent to 45 percent margin. Interestingly, only 4 percent of Trump’s MAGA supporters back Brown, while 31 percent of non-MAGA Republicans show support for the Democratic candidate, reflecting a shift in attitudes among this group. Additionally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that just 16 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s UFC fight on the White House lawn, as many in the non-MAGA segment of the GOP, which makes up about 40 percent, are increasingly aligning with independents who have distanced themselves from Trump.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 19:35 UTC)

Political authors Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan recently discussed Trump's perception of power, with Woods describing him as "the most powerful man in the world — maybe in history," which reflects Trump's self-image. In a response to criticism from Elon Musk, Trump expressed feelings of isolation, stating, "They always leave me. They always do this. This is why I can't have friends," while Woods warned that Trump's presidency has reached a "dreadful precipice" in just 18 months. Haberman raised concerns that Trump's refusal to acknowledge a Congress that is no longer beholden to him could lead to a constitutional crisis, and Swan added that if Republicans control either the Senate or the House, it will likely work in Trump's favor, impacting U.S. democracy.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 17:36 UTC)

Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," offers a deep dive into Trump's unconventional approach to governance, which critics argue has led to chaos and dysfunction during his second term. Rolling Stone reviewer Sean Woods calls the book "essential reading" for anyone trying to understand the turmoil surrounding Trump, highlighting that even some of his staunchest supporters, like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson, have distanced themselves over issues like the mishandling of the Epstein files and the Iran war. Woods emphasizes that the MAGA coalition remains united primarily through Trump's influence and the fear of his retaliation, while many former allies, including Mike Pompeo and Mike Pence, have turned against him.