'Is Trump trying to lose': Carville questions Trump's midterm moves that could hurt GOP
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic strategist James Carville in his latest political podcast questioned President Donald Trump’s midterm strategy, highlighting his recent remarks on Los Angeles and San Diego regarding a possible Iranian attack.
Carville has repeatedly predicted that Trump would resign around Easter in 2027, after what he expects will be a midterm defeat for Republicans.
Political strategist questions Trump's midterm strategy
In the Thursday, October 8, episode of 'Politics War Room', the podcast he co-hosts with Al Hunt, James Carville called Trump's recent remarks about Los Angeles and San Diego a mistake.
Speaking at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, ahead of the midterm elections, Trump called the consequences of the war with Iran a “small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” adding that Iran could potentially take out an American city.
“Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego,” Trump said in comments that drew swift backlash, including from Californian leadership.
“This is a very small price to pay and it’s gonna be over with very soon,” he said of the war.
Carville asked if Trump wanted to lose the election that's why he's making controversial statements.
“I mean, there’s nothing that he does that’s consistent with trying to win, and [there’s] probably not much he can do. He is the central issue in the campaign, he dominates everything. But I got to keep asking: Is he trying to do this? Does he just want to screw the congressional Republicans? Does he hate them?” Carville said.
He continued, “I don’t know. There’s some other explanation for this behavior. It might be that he’s just out of his g*****n mind. Who knows?”
Notably, Republicans are facing an uphill battle in the midterm campaign amid President Trump’s dropping approval rate.
“One thing I’m not worried about is Donald Trump out there campaigning. He is out of control,” Hunt said before highlighting the president’s comments on the California cities and disputed inflation claims.
Iran war and rising costs weigh on GOP campaign
Amid the growing unpopularity of Trump's war with Iran; the rising cost of living and the president's sagging approval rating have added to the GOP's concerns ahead of the midterm elections, which are scheduled for November 3.
With the election less than a month away, nonpartisan forecaster Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) favors Democrats to win back both chambers of Congress.
According to a Thursday morning DDHQ polling average, Trump’s approval rating stood at 37.4%.
On October 3, Trump pressed his supporters to go to the polls for next month’s midterms, pledging a “big” GOP victory if they did so.
“You got to get out and vote. You got to get out. You got to vote for these guys,” Trump said during the Ohio rally.
