President Donald Trump last month signed the largest spending bill ever passed, but “had little clue” what was in it, and “freaked out” as he watched Fox News top hosts “ripping into him” for spending huge amounts of money while failing to get much funding for his border wall.
Axios Saturday reports this “could even be a turning point in his presidency,” which may account for Trump’s recent heightened focus on immigration.
“We can’t overstate the severity of President Trump’s buyer’s remorse,” after signing the legislation, Axios’ Jonathan Swan reports. As a result, “Trump wants action to toughen immigration laws, and he’s hopping mad that it hasn’t happened.”
Fox News host Laura Ingraham was one of several who held long segments attacking the signing of the bill as “a score for the swamp.”
Trump has been increasingly volatile as he casts off control from those closest to him – some of whom he’s fired or have quit. Swan says, “watch for him to force action before the end of September,” on immigration. He adds: “based on what Trump has been telling confidants, we expect a showdown — and possibly a shutdown — then.”
That could in the long run be good news for Democrats.
Why?
“An election eve fracas that forces Republicans to contemplate a government shutdown vs. harsher immigration laws will motivate some Republican voters. But it could further endanger vulnerable Republican incumbents in swing seats, in a campaign year already stacked against them.”
Raw Story adds that last month “Maggie Haberman of The New York Times reported that Trump had become “animated” about the bill over things that were not factually true.”