Where do things stand in American politics as we head into a midterm election year? 
 

To discuss these questions we are joined again by Ron Brownstein, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and senior CNN political analyst. Brownstein points to President Trump’s approval rating as perhaps the most significant indicator in the 2026 midterm elections—and potentially still a major factor in 2028. As he puts it, "Amid all of the swirling currents that you get whenever Trump is in the White House… the real message of '25 was ‘the fundamental things apply.’” Brownstein shares his in-depth analysis of the current demographic and partisan fault lines in American politics, and the challenges both parties face as we look ahead to the midterms and presidential elections.