Key Takeaways:
- Brendan Buck, a former adviser to ex-House Speaker Paul Ryan, says Trump was elected because people were worried about the cost of living.
- Buck warns that if the economy doesn’t improve, Trump will face major political problems.
- He believes Trump was handed a strong economy but made mistakes like starting a trade war, which caused uncertainty.
- Buck thinks Trump cares deeply about his legacy and popularity, which could push him to change course if the economy struggles.
Trump’s Economic Record Under Fire
Brendan Buck, a former top aide to Paul Ryan, recently shared his thoughts on Donald Trump’s political future. He appeared on MSNBC and made it clear that Trump’s success depends heavily on the economy.
Buck said, “People elected Trump because they were worried about the cost of living.” He added that if things don’t get better, especially with growing concerns about the economy, Trump could be in trouble. “If the economy starts going south, he’s got big political issues,” Buck warned.
The Economy: Trump’s Biggest Challenge
When Trump was elected, Buck claims the economy was in a good place. “It was ready to take off,” he said. However, he believes Trump made things worse by starting a trade war and creating uncertainty.
Buck criticized Trump’s decisions, saying, “It was bad during the Biden administration, but we were ready to go in a really good direction. And he couldn’t help himself with this trade war and lots of uncertainty… that will catch up to him very, very quickly.”
Does Trump Care About the Economy?
The host asked Buck if Trump truly cares about these economic challenges. His response was clear: “I think he cares a lot.”
Buck explained that Trump is deeply focused on his legacy and being popular. “I think Donald Trump cares about his legacy more than just about anything. And I think he loves being popular,” he said.
Buck also pointed out that Trump has changed direction in the past when things didn’t go well. “We have seen him react to things that are very unpopular and change direction. That’s really the only guardrail we have with him right now,” he added.
The Final Word: Economy Will Decide Trump’s Fate
Buck made it clear that if the economy continues to struggle, Trump will have to pay attention. “And if the economy continues to show signs of suffering and the market continues to suffer, yeah, I think that’ll get his attention,” he said.
In short, Buck believes Trump’s political future depends on how well he handles the economy. If things go south, Trump could face serious problems. But if the economy improves, he might avoid those issues.
For now, one thing is clear: the economy is Trump’s biggest challenge—and it could make or break his political career.