‘The wheels are coming off’: Trump already less popular than after Jan. 6

Chris Hayes' episode of All In examines a deepening crisis in Donald Trump's presidency, marked by plummeting approval ratings—down to 32-33%—now lower than his post-January 6th low of 34%. The episode highlights a series of political and military missteps, including the sudden firing of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan during an active naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a war Trump initiated with no clear strategy or exit plan. This chaos is compounded by soaring gas and food prices, a failed Republican gerrymandering strategy, and growing internal dissent among MAGA influencers. Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, condemns the instability at the Pentagon and warns of the dangers of politicizing military decisions, including the cancellation of mandatory flu vaccines. The episode also exposes a major scandal at the CDC, where RFK Jr.'s HHS suppressed a study confirming the life-saving benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, citing 'methodological concerns' despite identical methods being used in prior reports. Former CDC officials like Dr. Dmitry Daskalakis describe a coordinated effort to undermine public trust in science and vaccines, driven by anti-mRNA conspiracy theories. The episode concludes with a warning that Trump’s weakening position is fueling increasingly desperate attempts to rig the midterms, but Democratic resistance—especially through voter-driven redistricting reforms in California and Virginia—may neutralize Republican advantages. Key takeaways include: 1) Trump’s approval ratings are now lower than after the January 6 insurrection, signaling a political collapse; 2) The war in the Middle East is being managed without strategy, leading to economic pain and military instability; 3) Republican gerrymandering backfired as voters in California and Virginia passed anti-rigging referenda; 4) The CDC’s suppression of vaccine data is a dangerous politicization of science; 5) Trump’s focus on impeachment fears reveals his growing vulnerability; 6) Democratic resistance is now more unified and effective; 7) The erosion of elite loyalty to Trump is accelerating; 8) The public is increasingly unwilling to tolerate Trump’s chaos, even among his base.