The Free World Is Leaving Trump Behind

Key Points:

• A new WaPo-ABC News-Ipsos poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating at 37%, with particularly low approval on issues like cost of living (23%), inflation (27%), Iran conflict (33%), economy (34%), and immigration (40%).
• William Kristol reflects on the decline of U.S. leadership in the Free World under Trump’s “America First” policy, highlighting new global defenders of freedom like Ukraine’s Zelensky, Pope Leo XIV, and Hungary’s Péter Magyar.
• Trump’s attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have included threats and sanctions, but recently he proposed a "humanitarian gesture" asking Iran to allow safe passage, which Iran rejected, warning it would attack any foreign military attempting to enter.
• A Washington Post investigation reveals a significant increase in violent use of force by ICE detention guards, with a 37% rise in incidents during Trump’s second term and many detainees subjected to harsh treatment despite not being accused of crimes.
• Southern states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana are rushing to redraw congressional maps favoring Republicans ahead of the midterms following a Supreme Court decision, with Trump urging legislatures to prioritize redistricting even if it means rescheduling primaries or holding multiple votes.