Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign has encountered unexpected turbulence, with recent reports revealing a growing sense of panic among his aides as the former president appears to be emotionally deflating. The inner workings of Trump’s camp, as described by a report from *The Washington Post*, paint a picture of frustration, complacency, and a candidate who is more interested in golfing than campaigning. As Trump’s political rivals gain momentum, his aides are increasingly alarmed by his inability to stay focused, leading to behind-the-scenes chaos.
In the weeks following the Democratic National Convention, Trump’s team reportedly grew concerned over his disengagement, fearing he might spend the critical days of the campaign playing golf and stewing over Kamala Harris’s popularity. Harris, who replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, has emerged as a formidable candidate, particularly with younger and minority voters. Trump’s aides pushed him to increase his campaign efforts, recognizing that Harris’s dynamic presence was rapidly outshining him. Instead of seizing the moment to counter the Democratic message, Trump spent much of his time venting about how the election wasn’t going as planned.
As Trump’s team ramped up his schedule in a bid to reverse the downward trend, his mood became increasingly erratic. The former president, who has built his political brand on portraying strength, now seems overwhelmed and uncertain about how to approach the changing political landscape. The Washington Post’s report reveals that Trump’s aides are deeply concerned about his mental state, with some describing him as on the verge of a “nervous breakdown.”
Several factors appear to be contributing to Trump’s emotional slump. First, Harris’s status as a younger, charismatic Black woman contrasts starkly with Trump’s aging, grievance-laden persona. Her candidacy represents a new chapter for the Democratic Party, and Trump, known for his fixation on crowd sizes and media attention, is reportedly struggling with the fact that Harris is drawing significant coverage. While Trump once thrived on dominating news cycles, he now faces a media landscape more interested in Harris’s fresh energy and forward-looking message.
Moreover, Democratic leaders like former President Barack Obama have strategically attacked Trump’s weaknesses, making him seem smaller and less formidable. Obama’s jabs, which pointed out Trump’s obsession with personal grievances and inability to focus on the needs of the American people, struck a nerve. For years, Trump wielded the ability to rile up his opponents, feeding off the anger of those he targeted. But now, the tables have turned. Democratic messaging is increasingly getting under Trump’s skin, making him lose his composure and political strategy.
As Jen Psaki and Dan Pfeiffer, both veteran Democratic strategists, pointed out, Democrats have learned that the way to beat Trump is to expose his weaknesses and make him appear less intimidating. By mocking his complaints, conspiracy theories, and obsession with crowd sizes, Democrats have succeeded in making Trump appear ineffective and out of touch. This shift in messaging has unnerved Trump, who now finds himself on the defensive.
The stark contrast between Trump’s current campaign efforts and those of 2016 or even 2020 is glaring. He no longer commands the media’s attention the way he once did, and his once-iconic rallies now feel stale and low-energy. Aaron Rupar, a journalist who has closely followed Trump’s public appearances, notes that Trump’s speeches fall into two categories: incoherent rally rants or low-energy prompter readings. Neither approach is resonating with voters the way it once did, and his inability to inject fresh energy into his campaign is becoming a liability.
At a recent rally, Trump made bizarre and unfounded claims about Kamala Harris, accusing her of letting “terrorists” flood into the country. The speech, filled with exaggerations and falsehoods, did little to energize the crowd. Instead, it highlighted Trump’s disinterest in discussing real policy issues. He continues to rely on fear-mongering, pushing narratives that have been repeatedly debunked. His fixation on Harris also reveals how deeply rattled he is by her rise as a political force.
Another source of frustration for Trump seems to be his continued focus on Joe Biden, despite Harris now leading the Democratic ticket. Trump repeatedly laments that he isn’t running against Biden anymore, a sentiment that surfaces in nearly every speech he gives. This obsession with Biden reflects a deeper issue: Trump’s inability to adjust to the changing dynamics of the race. Rather than focusing on the candidate actually leading the Democratic ticket, Trump remains stuck in the past, unable to move on from the opponent he thought he would face.
Adding to the confusion within Trump’s camp is the presence of figures like Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed Trump at a recent event. Gabbard’s endorsement has raised eyebrows, given her past as a Democratic candidate. However, her political trajectory has aligned more closely with Trump’s populist base, and her presence on the campaign trail is yet another indication of the strange alliances forming around Trump’s faltering campaign. While Gabbard’s support may provide a temporary boost, it does little to solve the deeper problems plaguing Trump’s team.
Trump’s emotional deflation is becoming a significant concern for his aides. His inability to regain control of the narrative, combined with his growing frustration and erratic behavior, is leaving his campaign in disarray. While he once thrived on the chaos of the political battlefield, Trump now seems overwhelmed by it, unable to marshal the energy and focus needed to combat his opponents.
As the 2024 election nears, the question remains: can Trump turn things around, or will his emotional unraveling lead to a further decline in his political fortunes? For now, it seems that the former president is struggling to find his footing in a race that has increasingly left him behind. His aides may be panicking, but unless Trump can overcome his current slump and refocus his efforts, their concerns may only deepen.
