Wall Street Journal Says Trump Lost Governing Plot 18 Months Into Second Term
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · May 23
Wall Street Journal Says Trump Lost Governing Plot 18 Months Into Second Term
2 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · May 23
A Wall Street Journal editorial said Donald Trump has “lost the governing plot” just 18 months into his second term, arguing his presidency is being consumed by personal obsessions rather than policy.
The Murdoch-owned paper said Trump’s pet projects, retribution campaigns and alienation of congressional Republicans are choking off chances for legislative gains in the few months before the midterms.
Feb. 28 marked the start of Trump’s war with Iran, after which the editorial said his approval rating kept falling as voters faced higher gas prices and broader cost-of-living pressure.
November now looms as the key political test: the Journal warned a GOP loss of Congress would leave Trump’s presidency effectively over, aside from the prospect of “impeachment 3.0.”
What are the global economic risks if diplomatic efforts in the Middle East fail?
How might the focus on commemorative projects affect voter sentiment amid rising household costs and foreign conflict?
Can executive actions alone ensure long-term economic stability without new legislative agreements?
The Trump Presidency at 18 Months: Mounting Legal, Political, and Global Crises
Overview
At the 18-month mark of the Trump administration in May 2026, the White House faces mounting criticism and internal strife. This period is marked by high-profile legal battles, such as the controversy over a letter allegedly linking Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, which led to direct intervention by Trump to stop media publication and subsequent congressional action to release the letter. These events highlight escalating tensions within the administration, growing dissent in the Republican Party, and ongoing challenges in managing both legal scrutiny and internal divisions, setting the stage for a turbulent and contentious phase of governance.