Sep 24, 2026 · 42 min
Trump’s press attacks expose his political vulnerability
How we know Donald Trump is freaking out about his disastrous poll numbers
The episode connects attacks on journalists and extraordinary executive actions to the constitutional safeguards and political resistance that could restrain them.
- 1Jim Acosta links Trump’s past treatment of the press to current efforts restricting journalists and weakening media solidarity.
- 2Jay Carney argues that rebuilding trust in democratic institutions requires confronting technology policy, AI safety, and political influence.
- 3Jamie Raskin says presidential power cannot override federal law, court orders, congressional authority, or constitutional limits.
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The brief
Jen Psaki frames Trump’s escalating attacks on the media as a response to worsening political vulnerability, with a court decision on his media ban approaching.
Jim Acosta revisits Trump’s 2018 confrontation with him and argues that journalists and news organizations must resist efforts to restrict access and normalize pressure.
Jay Carney recalls defending press access against Chinese officials, then discusses Democratic technology policy, AI safety, public trust, and political donations from technology interests.
Jamie Raskin argues that Trump’s proposed vanity projects and reported martial-law plans cannot override federal law, court orders, Congress, building rules, or the Constitution.
The episode’s stakes sharpen around election interference: Raskin says Republicans must resist extraordinary executive power rather than accept threats to democratic safeguards.