U.S. President Donald Trump gestures before he boards Marine One, to travel to Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen, in Lossiemouth, Scotland, Britain, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
One time, Donald Trump friend Donny Deutsch thinks the president wants to lose the election so he can play the victim.
Speaking on "Morning Joe" Thursday, Deutsch said Trump is always happier when he punches back.
Mika Brzezinski rattled off recent numbers from a Fox poll, which has a different standard than the news side. Things continue to collapse around Trump. The most startling number shows that just 18 percent say that their family is "better off" today than two years ago.
"That's the worst number I've ever seen. Ever. The worst number," Joe Scarborough said.
"Eighteen percent, Joe, you were talking aboutthe two seats before. You weretalking about corruption andcosts. I'll add chaos into that.I can never remember seeing numbers —I've been doing the show for 19years. I can neverremember seeing an electioncycle where everything,everything was lining up justso negatively," said Deutsch. "Like, you just,everybody talked about a bluewave. I can't see how it's nota tsunami. I can't see withthree weeks away, obviouslynothing's going to change dramatically in the next few weeks. And you just go everything you talk about, even Trump people I talk to, they've had it."
Commentator Mike Barnicle said one of the most difficult things about the year is that as soon as a lawmaker is elected, they have to start raising money for reelection immediately. It means the focus has shifted from serving constituents and legislating to reelection.
Semafor reporter Ben Smith said he found that most new members of Congress are more interested in being content creators than in doing the work of the people.
Deutsch cited a recent comment from former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who thinks Trump wants to lose the election.
"I think on some level, [Trump] wants the Dems to win so he can be the victim, so he can play that guy. He can say, look, I wasn't on the ballot. That's why you lost and be the guy who's counterpunching [and] counterpunching. He's comfortable in that position. I just don't think he cares."
Scarborough agreed, noting that Trump is "much better being the politically hunted than being the hunter. He's much better. He likes it. Playing defense. Doing the rope-a-dope."
Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville said last week that he agrees with the assessment that Trump may very well be trying to lose.
Speaking to The Hill, Carville said, “I mean, there’s nothing that he does that’s consistent with trying to win, and [there’s] probably not much he can do. He is the central issue in the campaign, he dominates everything. But I got to keep asking: Is he trying to do this? Does he just want to screw the congressional Republicans? Does he hate them?”