‘The weaker he gets, the more dangerous he gets’: Trump lashes out as his power wanes

Key Points:

• At the United Nations, President Donald Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran, but domestically he faces declining influence as federal courts and congressional Republicans increasingly check his power amid low approval ratings.
• Trump’s support within the Republican Party is fracturing ahead of the midterm elections, with some GOP candidates distancing themselves from him due to concerns he could cost them seats.
• Despite setbacks such as court rulings against his policies and criticism over economic issues, Trump continues to rely on spectacle and cultural conflicts, including banning certain news outlets from the White House.
• Analysts warn that Trump’s waning authority may lead him to use executive powers more aggressively in his final two years, potentially escalating political conflicts as he resists losing the spotlight.
• Historical patterns suggest second terms are challenging for presidents, and experts caution that Trump’s fear of irrelevance could make him increasingly unpredictable and dangerous politically.