As Approval Ratings Drop, Trump 'Surrenders'... WP Calls It "A Week of Trump’s Retreat"

As COVID-19 Resurges, Trump Shifts to Hardline Stance Ahead of Reelection

▲Donald Trump, President of the United States [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Donald Trump, the U.S. president known for his tough rhetoric and unilateral governance style, has changed course and raised the white flag as his approval ratings dropped ahead of his re-election bid.

On the 25th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported this in an article titled "A Week of Trump Retreat: The President Changes Course Amid Uncontrolled Surge of COVID-19."

According to the report, President Trump canceled the large-scale in-person convention scheduled to be held in Jacksonville, Florida from the 24th to the 27th of next month, and appeared to have shifted his stance on issues such as delaying the start of the fall semester in states severely affected by the resurgence of COVID-19.

Additionally, Trump initially took a hardline stance, saying he would not sign the fifth COVID-19 relief bill unless a payroll tax cut was included, but eventually withdrew this position amid opposition from the Republican Party.

WP stated, "This week was a week of retreat for Trump," adding, "Faced with resistance from fellow Republican lawmakers and public opposition, President Trump bent his long-held positions instead of forcing others to follow his will."

The article analyzed that this course correction occurred as Trump sought to revive his re-election campaign amid the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the United States.

Until now, President Trump had dominated the Republican Party by pushing forward in the direction he believed was right. However, the Republican Party's rejection of Trump's demand for a payroll tax cut has led to speculation that centrifugal forces are spreading.

Stephen Moore, a conservative economist and external economic advisor who has advocated for early economic reopening, told WP, "I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong (regarding the corporate tax cut issue). There was definitely a retreat on this issue. I am frustrated because President Trump really wanted the payroll tax cut."

Previously, despite ongoing recommendations from health authorities to wear masks, President Trump stubbornly resisted wearing one, but recently he has portrayed himself as a "mask advocate," even stating that "wearing a mask is patriotic," showing a 180-degree turnaround.

White House officials reportedly disagree with WP's characterization of Trump's sudden praise of masks and the cancellation of the Jacksonville convention as a "retreat." They argue that Trump remains popular among Republican voters and that his recent actions were taken not for political positioning but to protect the American people.

However, WP pointed out that Trump's "safety logic" conflicts with his previous push to resume rallies despite concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19. On the 20th of last month, Trump resumed large-scale rallies in Tulsa, Oklahoma after three months. U.S. media reported that COVID-19 cases in the area increased following this rally.

A former senior official told WP that since then, President Trump has learned to accept the reality that the virus is worsening contrary to his predictions and that many Americans may feel uneasy about large gatherings.

Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian, told WP, "Trump is trying to make a 'grand reset.' Like the 'New Nixon,' this will be the 'New Trump.'" The "New Nixon" refers to former President Richard Nixon's election campaign strategy aimed at a comprehensive image overhaul toward a moderate image.

In a separate article covering the background of the Jacksonville convention cancellation decision, WP reported that aides persuaded President Trump with the argument that "canceling the convention would show concern for the health of the American people and also improve approval ratings," suggesting it would be politically beneficial. On the 23rd, Trump abruptly announced the cancellation of the convention, emphasizing that it was his own decision.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.