Trump Presidency Nears Decline Amid GOP Shifts, Scandals

President Donald Trump's hold on the Republican Party is showing signs of weakening during his second term, particularly due to controversies such as the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, which has unsettled his base and led to increased dissent within MAGA circles. Conservative columnist Matt Lewis described July 2025 as the beginning of the end of the Trump era, noting that Trump's grip on the GOP, once described as "iron-clad," is loosening amid perceptions of him as a lame duck and concerns about his physical condition. Trump's declining popularity is also reflected in poor polling numbers, with his approval rating nearing the lowest of his first term and negative approval across multiple issues, which threatens Republican prospects in future elections. The media's previous enthusiasm for Trump, driven largely by ratings and revenue, has diminished as his second term fails to replicate the first term's media impact and public engagement. This shift may ignite a crisis within the Republican Party, which some analysts say has been hollowed out and scorched by Trump's influence. Overall, Trump's second term is marked by a combination of political and public relations setbacks that suggest a significant change in his and the GOP's trajectory.