Donald Trump’s recent outburst against a key conservative mega-donor is causing headaches for his advisors, who are now tasked with mending the relationship. According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, the situation has become “a mess that Trump world would like to not be dealing with.”
During an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday night, Haberman revealed that Trump had sent texts to Miriam Adelson, accusing her Preserve America PAC of being run by “RINOS” (Republicans In Name Only). These texts shed light on how Trump is handling his recent setbacks, with Haberman noting that his “anger is seeping out,” resulting in “erratic behavior that people around him are seeing and seeing during times of stress.”
Trump’s advisors have been urging him to stay on message, particularly when discussing key issues like the economy, where he has traditionally performed well in polls against Vice President Kamala Harris. However, Haberman pointed out that during a Wednesday campaign stop in Asheville, North Carolina, Trump struggled to stick to the script.
“He still would prefer to attack,” Haberman said, indicating that despite his team’s best efforts, Trump remains focused on going after his opponents rather than delivering a consistent message on policy.
In contrast, Haberman observed that Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, might be outshining the former president in terms of campaign discipline. “He’s actually delivering a more coherent message than Trump is about Harris,” she said. Vance’s role as an “attack dog” appears to be more effective, as he stays on target while criticizing the vice president.
Trump’s recent behavior, particularly his texts to Adelson, underscores the tension within his campaign as it navigates these turbulent times. Haberman’s insights highlight the challenges Trump’s advisors face as they try to keep him focused on key issues, rather than veering into personal attacks and off-script remarks.
As the campaign continues, the pressure on Trump’s team to maintain discipline and mend relationships with critical donors will only intensify. Whether they can succeed in keeping the former president on message remains to be seen, but for now, the internal struggles are becoming increasingly evident.