'They own all of this': Brian Tyler Cohen says Republicans will face consequences of Trump's actions
Progressive political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen has issued a warning to Republicans over their support for President Donald Trump's policies, including the Iran conflict. Cohen pointed out that Trump won't be on the 2028 ballot, and it would be the party member who would have to own his actions as they campaign for another election. While 2028 is still far, Cohen said the impact of Trump's actions will be more evident for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections in November. This comes at a time when Trump's approval ratings have reportedly hit historic lows, with gas and grocery prices surging nationwide.
Appearing on the Meidastouch Podcast, Cohen noted that Trump's recent comments, including the threats of "wiping out a civilisation," will not only be on his shoulders but on the Republican party as well, which has "emboldened him every step of the way." He claimed that party members would try to create some distance from the "very unpopular" president, who is responsible for starting a war, rising costs, and gas prices, all of which he promised would never happen under his presidency. "But them trying at the eleventh hour to create distance from a presidency that they have emboldened and allowed every single step of the way is not going to work," Cohen added.
The comments align with recent polls showing Trump's popularity is in freefall. According to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS, his rating for handling the economy has fallen to a career low of 31%. Furthermore, a Navigator Research poll found the President's approval rating on gas prices had hit a rock bottom of 28% with a 65% disapproval rating, as average gas prices climbed over $4 amidst the Iran war and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key crude oil shipping lane.
Cohen went on to add that key leaders of the GOP have failed to exercise authority and autonomy as a coequal branch of government at "every step of the way" to avoid being on the receiving end of a mean social media post from Trump. "And so now I hope people recognize that this is unbridled Republican governance in action. They own all of this. It’s not just Trump. It is the rest of this Republican Party," he added. He pointed out that Trump won't be on either the 2026 or 2028 ballot, but the rest of the Republicans will be, and they are just as responsible for what's happening with the war and prices as Trump.
While Republicans are relieved over Washington reaching a two-week ceasefire agreement with Tehran, some are concerned that the measure came too late to save them from a brutal midterm election cycle. A person close to the White House candidly shared with Politico that "this war in Iran almost cements the fact that we lose the midterms in November — the Senate and House." The concerns are further compounded by the recent underperformances and losses of Republicans in a spate of recent elections where Democrats flipped conservative strongholds. Thus, the swings from red to blue add to the Democratic momentum heading into the November midterms, where the control of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and state governments would be up for grabs.
