Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says President Donald Trump is losing his hold on political power, pointing to a turbulent first year of Trump’s second term and growing resistance from unexpected places.
In a New Year’s address posted to his YouTube channel, Buttigieg argued that the political landscape has shifted in ways that would have seemed unthinkable just months ago. He said dissatisfaction with the Trump administration has emerged not only among Democrats, but increasingly within the Republican Party itself.
“There are things happening in our politics that you wouldn’t have thought possible just months ago,” Buttigieg said, framing the moment as a turning point. According to him, signs of Trump’s weakening influence can be found in recent legislative fights and election outcomes.
“Even in the Republican Party, we saw evidence that the president’s grip on power was beginning to loosen,” Buttigieg said. “We saw it on everything from the vote to release the Epstein files to what happened in Indiana redistricting.”
The reference to the Epstein files alludes to renewed controversy surrounding records tied to Jeffrey Epstein, an issue that has created discomfort across party lines. Buttigieg also pointed to state-level disputes, including redistricting battles in reliably conservative areas, as further proof that Trump’s authority is no longer absolute.
He added that recent election results reinforce that view. “Then we saw election results happening not just on the East Coast, but in places like the South, with Democrats performing better than most optimistic scenarios had considered,” he said.
Buttigieg argued that these developments give Democrats a rare opportunity heading into the next midterm cycle. “We have an opening right now for 2026 to be a year of dramatic and positive change in this country,” he said. “If we stay focused and if we put in the work. What I’m going to be doing in 2026 is everything I can to help.”
Trump, meanwhile, has sought to project confidence amid reports of low approval ratings. Multiple network and independent polls have shown the president struggling to gain majority support, particularly on issues such as healthcare costs and the broader cost-of-living crisis.
The president pushed back late at night on Truth Social, claiming his approval rating was far higher than reported. Sharing a graphic from The Trafalgar Group that stated “Over 50% of voters approve of President Trump,” he went even further.
“The polls are rigged even more than the writers. The real number is 64%, and why not, our Country is ‘hotter’ than ever before. Isn’t it nice to have a STRONG BORDER, No Inflation, a powerful Military, and a great Economy??? Happy New Year!” Trump wrote.
The Trafalgar Group has previously faced criticism over its polling methods, but Trump has frequently cited its numbers when they reflect favorably on him.
As Buttigieg sees it, competing narratives aside, the political momentum may be shifting. Whether that shift translates into lasting change by 2026 remains an open question, but he made clear he believes the era of unchecked presidential control is fading.
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