The Back Room with Andy Ostroy The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

Stephanie Grisham on Trump's Second-Term Behavior; the Midterms and Election Integrity; Natalie Harp; and More

Sep 17, 2026 · 52m

Summary

Stephanie Grisham joins Andy Ostroy to analyze Trump’s declining approval ratings and the potential chaos following the midterms. She predicts that if Republicans lose Congress, Trump will blame Democrats to maintain his victimhood narrative. Grisham also discusses the "sociopathic" behavior of the current administration, contrasting it with the first term, and shares her personal anxiety regarding the erosion of democratic norms.

Topics discussed

Introduction and show housekeeping Assessing Trump's presidency and midterm outlook Supreme Court rulings and Trump's reaction to polling Trump's obsession with legacy and transactional loyalty Congress's failure to check presidential power Comparing 2026 Trump to 2016 and unfiltered behavior Trump's decline and political instincts Strategy of blaming Democrats and staying in power The 'drop the B' dynamic and sycophancy Economic reality vs. the 'Golden Age' narrative Vance interview and the turning tide of public opinion Loss of MAGA support and the $5,000 check controversy Incident with reporter Rachel Scott and physical aggression Fear culture among staff and legislators Sympathy for cabinet members and the 'evil' of the second term Critique of RFK Jr.'s behavior and masculinity Reflections on former administration colleagues MAGAFest convention and the pledge of loyalty Personal safety concerns and fear of autocracy Democracy holding up and international relations Kennedy Center renaming and legal overreach The stalker incident and obsessive followers The heady feeling of power for loyalists Republican Party losses and congressional inaction 2028 campaign dynamics and closing remarks
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