Political commentator on what we might expect from Trump’s midterm convention : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-08 03:42:00 — www.npr.org
Trump’s Social Media Focus Draws Criticism Amid “Trumpapalooza” Event
Donald Trump’s recent activities have once again placed his personal brand and social media presence at the center of Republican politics, as highlighted during a discussion on NPR’s Morning Edition. According to commentator Jonah Goldberg, Trump has been increasingly using artificial intelligence in his social media posts, including a recent burst of seven posts about renaming New Mexico to “New America,” featuring an AI-generated image of himself pasting the word “America” on a New Mexico sign.
This focus on spectacle over substance has drawn criticism from within conservative circles. Goldberg described Trump’s approach as retreating to his “safe places,” preferring to talk about building ballrooms and putting his name on things rather than addressing issues pollsters say matter most to Americans, such as the cost of groceries. Goldberg noted that Trump is running as if he is still an outsider taking on the establishment, despite being the dominant figure in Republican politics for a decade.
The event, dubbed “Trumpapalooza,” is seen by some Republicans as an attempt to energize the base and make the midterms a referendum on Trump himself. Trump has reportedly embraced this framing, with House Speaker Mike Johnson stating that a vote in the midterms is a vote for or against Trump. However, Goldberg argued that this strategy is likely to backfire, citing Trump’s low approval ratings among independents—around 22%—and widespread “Trump fatigue” across the country.
Goldberg also criticized Trump’s use of campaign funds, suggesting that rather than supporting other Republican campaigns, Trump prefers to spend money on self-promotion. “Trump is sitting on a dragon’s hoard of money, which he says is my money in these various PACs that he controls,” Goldberg said, implying that Trump chose a strategy focused on boosting his own image rather than helping the broader party.
In summary, Trump’s continued emphasis on personal branding and social media theatrics, rather than substantive policy issues, is drawing skepticism even from conservative commentators. As the Republican Party heads into the midterms, the decision to center the campaign around Trump may risk alienating voters already weary of his act, potentially costing the party more than it gains.