MS NOW host Chris Hayes took note of new polling numbers on Thursday to illustrate the mounting backlash President Donald Trump faces from voters and members of his own party over his $1.776 billion slush fund, exorbitant White House ballroom project and other things.
“His approval rating is already in the 30s,” said Hayes. “Today, he hit a new low of 31% approval in one poll. That’s below freezing! And also, in case you filled up your car recently, gas isn’t getting any cheaper. But Trump wants you all to know that everything is totally fine.”
The “All In” host cited results of a new poll published Thursday by the American Research Group, which found that only 31% of Americans registered to vote approve of the way Trump is doing his job. Hayes noted many GOP lawmakers increasingly feel the same.
“It could not be clearer that Trump has completely alienated Senate Republicans,” he said. “And many may want revenge of their own. In fact, today, one anonymous member of the Senate GOP caucus, after this catastrophic caucus lunch they held today, texted a Punchbowl [News] reporter to say the majority is quote, ‘melting down.’”
Hayes mentioned the action surrounding Tuesday’s Senate advancement of legislation seeking to end the war in Iran — an advancement that featured more Republicans defying the president. Among them was Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who switched sides after losing a primary in which Trump endorsed his opponent.
Hayes also mentioned how Democrats could soon amass the necessary votes for a bipartisan bill to block Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which a new lawsuit alleges Trump would use to finance the far-right extremists who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called the fund “stupid on stilts” earlier this week and “absurd” for potentially benefiting people who assaulted police officers. Hayes also said that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) might also distance herself from Trump ahead of her reelection.
He then argued that the growing rift among Senate Republicans puts Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) in a difficult spot, as he doesn’t currently have the votes to affirm Trump’s slush fund but also “likely does not have the votes to stop a bill blocking it.”
“So, what’s the big plan?” Hayes asked. “How is John Thune going to dig his way out of this jam? How’s he going to extricate from himself? Well, he came up with a brilliant idea today. Ready for this? He just sent everyone home for the rest of the month. ‘That’s it, we’re done!’”
He continued, “Throwing in the towel, right? ‘We’re not going to do it, because you can’t have a vote against the slush fund if the Senate isn’t in session.’ The problem is, it’s not going to go away. In fact, it’s likely to get worse as we get closer to the midterms. Especially because Donald Trump seems to get less popular by the day.”