A long-time stalwart of the GOP took a swing at President Donald Trump in his 2025 wrap-up column, a place that's usually reserved for hopeful reflection.
Karl Rove, a political consultant and former presidential advisor, wrote in a new column for the Wall Street Journal that Trump's pace has become "unrelenting" and is trending toward "unsustainable." He noted Trump's souring poll numbers on key issues like the economy, which are a sign that voters find his act "off-putting."
"It appears that he believes he can will people into agreeing with him by claiming his achievements are the biggest, best and most amazing in American history," Rove wrote. "He’s gone way too far by slapping his name on buildings (the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) and government programs (the Navy’s 'Trump-class' battleship). He might receive a fawning reaction from his MAGA base, but the average American finds such narcissism off-putting."
"Americans would be much more likely to support Mr. Trump if he explained what he’s doing and asked for patience as his administration makes necessary changes," he added. "But that isn’t his way. Presidents do best when they underpromise and overdeliver. The opposite—overpromising and underdelivering—angers voters. They often take out their anger at the ballot box."