By Jeffrey A. Rendall
The key for Trump to regain his polling “mojo” may be to return to an old standard
Media buzz. It’s what President Donald J. Trump and Republicans really need right now.
Not a problem, right? Trump attracts name-drops and evening news scrutiny like mama bears seeking spawning salmon. In the past, Trump said all exposure is helpful, even if it’s bad publicity. One wonders if he’s altered his thinking of late, as much of what’s come out recently regarding the president and his party has been absurdly negative and misleading, which apparently has caused a noticeable dip in his popularity with the People.
Politics is a fickle business. You’re on top of the world one minute and drowning in an ocean of despair the next. Trump has been unable to sidestep the Jeffrey Epstein non-issue for the past few weeks and, needless to say, the “affordability” matter remains ever-present, largely because Democrats and their establishment media cronies haven’t let it lie despite overwhelming facts and evidence indicating there’s no “there” there on either subject.
Democrats and the electronic squawkers need something to talk about to distract Americans from concentrating on what’s going on with the party-out-of-power – a.k.a., the Democrats — and they’re doing a good job of providing it.
Political momentum is hard to attain and even more taxing to sustain. If Trump is hitting a lull, it’d be the first prolonged downturn of his second term. How to reverse the negative tide? How about returning to Trump’s tried-and-true strategy of holding mass campaign-like rallies to reach the people directly, rev them up and get them advocating?
In an article titled, “Slumping Trump urged to revive MAGA rallies and fulfill 2024 promises”, the always on-point Paul Bedard reported at the Washington Examiner:
“[Top Republican communications adviser Ron] Bonjean emphasized on his ‘Message Machine’ Substack, the president needs to recharge his supporters now before it becomes a struggle leading up to the 2026 congressional midterm elections. ‘For months, Donald Trump has relied on a hyper-efficient messaging strategy — not through stadium rallies or rope-line stops, but through media saturation,’ Bonjean wrote on his Substack.
“’These moves serve his legacy and keep him top-of-mind,’ said the co-founder of the Washington bipartisan communications firm Rokk Solutions. ‘But they are not what fuel a movement.’
“He advised that Trump travel out of Washington more, hold 2024 MAGA-style rallies, and seize on a ‘boogeyman,’ such as socialist New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. ‘Trump hasn’t engaged his MAGA base in person for months,’ Bonjean said. ‘That’s not just atypical — it’s risky. This is a movement that runs on proximity, visibility, and energy.’”
Yes indeed. I’ve noted a number of times how Trump is a pervasive presence in media and appears willing to talk with practically everyone at any time. This openness strategy has been somewhat of a departure from his first term, where Trump was preoccupied with the Russia-Russia-Russia farce and wasn’t as eager to engage with the forces of pessimism like he’s been since reassuming office earlier this year.
Political cycles come and go, but Trump, perhaps buoyed by a loyal and competent supporting cast of cabinet officers, spokespeople and a young and aggressive vice president, has managed to stay on top of the buzz and head-off potential news hiccups before they’ve exploded into major problems.
But now it seems as though Trump himself should/needs to add pizzazz to his modus operandi. Trump’s fans haven’t tired of seeing him, and one thing that’s remarkable about the man is his singular ability to deviate from his teleprompter script to lend a certain uniqueness to each presentation. The message is consistent and proven. But Trump’s personality is the “show”.
Trump is an entertainer by lifetime profession and experience. Therefore, Democrats and the media only win when Trump is separated from his most effective means of reaching people – the large rally. Interviews with media figures are always welcome; but one-to-one connection is vital, too.
We’ve seen what happens when Trump is effectively sequestered in Washington. Who can forget how Trump’s detractors used the phony COVID fright to discourage the then-president from doing what he does best, namely appear among throngs of enthusiastic supporters to tout the agenda that restored the intense, pro-American feelings in the first place.
The millions who’ve come to see Trump over the years haven’t done so to procure concert-type shirts or to name-drop at social gatherings. No, they did so because Trump talked about things that appealed to them. He still does.
When Trump burst onto the political scene in mid-2015, he drew special notice because he was a first-time politician willing to bring up subjects – and characterize them like a “regular” person would – none of the others felt haughty enough to do so. “He said what?” It was almost as though radio shock-talk host Michael Savage had launched a political campaign.
Trump touched on many of the same things as Rush Limbaugh did, but there was a certain edge to the dialogue. It was refreshing to many, appealing to others and definitely outside-the-boundaries for practically everyone. Commentators had preached at length about the need for someone outside Washington to come in and change the status quo. Trump was that person.
A few notable politicians had tried the candid approach before. Recall how Senator John McCain toured the early presidential primary voting states on a bus named “The Straight Talk Express” and acquired a reputation as a man who would “tell it like it is” and “speak truth to power”, when the former Vietnam War POW was merely mostly promoting the establishment’s neocon line. Wannabe journalists ate it up because the “straight talk” persona sounded appealing.
Trump, on the other hand, was from outside the swamp and never pretended otherwise. Former congresswoman Michelle Bachmann briefly commanded the respect and attention of conservatives in her 2012 campaign, but she didn’t have the mass appeal Trump displayed. Nor did “Pizza man” Herman Cain – with his “9-9-9” tax plan – who rose and fell back that same year. Pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson also had his momentary ascendance in 2016 alongside Trump as an alternative to the static political system.
None had staying power like Trump did. And part of the reason for their flame-out is because Trump puts on a pretty darn good – and consistent – show. Should Trump take it to a town near you?
What we probably won’t see ever again from the 2016 and 2024 election winner is the huge outdoor extravaganzas Trump was famous for during his groundbreaking campaigns. Nearly being assassinated – twice – demonstrated that such easily accessible and hard to protect venues just aren’t worth the risk anymore. The danger has always seemed real, but the leftist kooks who would do harm to Trump and his mission aren’t deterred any longer by the notion of being caught and imprisoned. Or even killed.
Trump so much as said so when asked (by the Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito) about how Charlie Kirk’s assassination changed his life. “’It impacted me terribly. Look, he was a great guy. He was for me all the way. All the way. It was so incredible when you heard it. I thought they must be wrong. It couldn’t be. And then when you saw the viciousness of it, but I don’t want to look at that. I mean, I got the whole picture,’ he explained. It was clear he is still reeling from how the assassination of Kirk rolled out on social media.”
Trump’s matchless ability to communicate his vision along with his sense of connection with “ordinary” people is what sets him apart in politics. There’ve been lots of politicians, and a few good ones, but there’s never been another Donald Trump. Surrogates can appear at events and give interviews, but there’s no substitute for having Trump’s name as the top billing on the program.
He’s the rock star. The main act. The headliner band.
The “buzz” surrounding a Trump event is worth almost as much (in terms of political value) as the appearance itself. Trump no longer sells a political candidacy, he’s touting his MAGA agenda and the ways solid policy will improve people’s lives. It’s more than mere slogans and hyperbole and puffery. It’s not “a chicken in every pot” or two cars in every garage. It’s the ability to see beyond the Democrats’ false promises and outright lies.
It’s also the type of media buzz that makes the Jeffrey Epstein scandal look even more stupid and frivolous than it already is.
Trump and his administration team have done a terrific job of working his policies and promoting them via press events and media coverage, but even a message master like Trump could use some additional “buzz” surrounding his day-to-day operations. Going out among the people just might do the trick.
Jeff Rendall is editor and publisher of GolfintheUSA.com and has written about golf and politics for over a quarter of a century. A non-practicing attorney from California, he moved to the east coast three decades ago to pursue and combine his interests in all things American history and culture. Jeff has worked as an intern on Capitol Hill and in various capacities in grassroots organizing and conservative organizations and publications, including a nearly two-decade stint at ConservativeHQ.com. Column republishing or other inquiries: Rendall@msn.com .