Trump branded 'mentally decrepit narcissist' as MAGA enters 'death spiral'

U.S. President Donald Trump walks at Newark Liberty International Airport as he travels en route to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement is entering a "political death spiral," with his plummeting approval ratings, erratic public appearances and his admin’s infighting, according to veteran political columnist Jennifer Rubin.

Writing in The Contrarian on Monday, Rubin delivered a devastating assessment of the president, saying his administration is a regime led by a "mentally decrepit narcissist" and said that Republican officials are increasingly looking for ways to distance themselves from his now toxic brand due to his unpopular policies.

Rubin argued that Trump's increasingly unpredictable behavior during the campaign trail, along with his growing list of political setbacks, is exposing the vulnerabilities in the once powerful MAGA movement.

She pointed to the recent civil war among his advisers, including reports of a mutiny against his longtime adviser and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. She says the implosion within MAGA is the setup for an upcoming blame game if the GOP suffers a wipeout at the midterms.

Rubin declared that "the knives are out" as administration figures look for a scapegoat as Republicans fight to hold safe seats and support declines.

Her assessment comes as polls show Trump’s approval rating plummeting to levels never seen in either of his presidential terms. A new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll shows Trump's approval rating falling to just 33 percent.

The survey also shows voters are unsatisfied with the economy, with just 21 percent approving of his handling of affordability.

Only 28 percent of respondents rated the MAGA movement favorably, compared with 69 percent who viewed it unfavorably.

The president also hit a record low in the recent Fox poll with a 36 percent approval rating.

Rubin also gave her assessment of his performance rallying around the country, writing: “Trump’s behavior on the campaign trail has only intensified the sense that the country is rudderless, careening from one disaster to another without a sentient leader.”

The president has had notably unusual moments at his rallies, including rambling remarks about animals, odd comments about Republican candidates' physical appearances and even insulting his own supporters.

At one Tennessee rally, Trump appeared to acknowledge his incoherent speeches and take a dig at his fans at the same time, stating: "I could say the stupidest things and you clap."

Rubin suggested that Trump's allies may start to wonder if they still benefit from aligning themselves with him and also urged Democrats to capitalize on the administration's apparent vulnerabilities by pursuing investigations and reversing controversial policies if they take back Congress.

The columnist predicted that a major Republican defeat could trigger a mass exodus from the Trump administration.

She concluded by saying the “country is in desperate need of protection from the mad wannabe king.”

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