Sam Stein Analyzes Trump's Impact on Modern Republican Policies and Their Unpopularity

Sam Stein discusses the unpopularity of certain policies associated with Donald Trump, highlighting that modern Republicanism often aligns with Trump's directives. He explains that many of these policies lack public support, and one way to improve their reception is for representatives to engage directly with constituents and advocate for these measures. However, Republican lawmakers are hesitant to do so, effectively abandoning efforts to sway public opinion. Stein notes that these politicians are implementing policies based on Trump's influence, even as they recognize their unpopularity. Interestingly, some Republicans, such as Josh Hawley, are proposing legislation to counteract the impacts of these policies—like preventing Medicaid reductions, supporting rural hospitals, or providing rebates for tariffs—indicating an awareness of the issues, but also revealing their constrained position due to party alignment with Trump's agenda.