Trump defies low approval ratings with win in key Kentucky race

<p>Ever since Indiana state Republicans failed to heed Trump’s redistricting demand, President Donald Trump has been on a tear, working to reshape the Republican Party by pushing hard against those who have opposed not only his leadership, but his vision of America and its place on the world stage. The president has been successful in forcing foes within his own party out of office – most recently in a wildly expensive and pivotal race in Kentucky between incumbent Representative Thomas Massie and challenger Ed Gallrein. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/20/trump-endorsed-candidates-winning-midterm-elections/90141765007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Like others Trump has rallied against, Massie, too, fell in Tuesday night’s elections</a>. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins The Excerpt to help make sense of the mismatch between Trump’s approval ratings and his hold on the Republican Party.&nbsp;</p><p>Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to <a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Episode transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/21/despite-low-approval-trump-tightens-grip-on-gop/90195594007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>.</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>