Dan Balz
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Husband. Father. Happy Grandparent. covered politics for a long time for @washingtonpost. Infrequent tweeter.
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Articles by Dan Balz
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
President Donald Trump departs after speaking at a campaign rally at Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Highland Heights, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a new low, and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress is rising as inflationary pressures contribute to an acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. Trump’s approval among U.S. adults now stands at 33 percent, with 66 percent disapproving; 52 percent said they disapprove strongly.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a new low, and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress is rising as inflationary pressures contribute to an acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. Trump’s approval among U.S. adults now stands at 33%, with 66% disapproving; 52% said they disapprove strongly.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape. President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to a new low, and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress is rising as inflationary pressures contribute to an acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. Trump's approval among U.S. adults now stands at 33 percent, with 66 percent disapproving; 52 percent said they disapprove strongly.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape. President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to a new low, and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress is rising as inflationary pressures contribute to an acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll Trump's approval among U.S. adults now stands at 33 percent, with 66 percent disapproving; 52 percent said they disapprove strongly.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape. President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to a new low, and support for Democrats in the race for control of Congress is rising as inflationary pressures contribute to an acrid mood among voters, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. Trump's approval among U.S. adults now stands at 33 percent, with 66 percent disapproving; 52 percent said they disapprove strongly.
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge (washingtonpost.com) Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge By Dan Balz; Scott Clement 2026101804020400 Two weeks from Election Day, Republicans face a bleak political landscape.
Remembering Roger Simon, a political journalist with toughness and wit
Remembering Roger Simon, a political journalist with toughness and wit (washingtonpost.com) Remembering Roger Simon, a political journalist with toughness and wit By Dan Balz 2026091018240400 There was no one like Roger Simon. That's said about a lot of people, but in Roger's case, it happened to be true. He was an original, a rare talent and a journalist who has left behind a rich legacy of reporting and writing.
Trump approval stuck in the 30s amid pessimism on Iran and economy, poll finds
Dan Balz, Scott Clement Americans give President Donald Trump broadly negative reviews for his handling of key issues, say they are strained by the cost of living and are pessimistic that the administration's start-and-stop negotiations with Iran will lower gas prices or prevent the Iranians from developing a nuclear weapon, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll Strikingly, Trump has lost enthusiasm among many fellow Republicans, a core source of his power for more than a decade.
Democrats and the White working-class
The endless pursuit of White working-class voters by Democratic Party leaders has been an exercise in Sisyphean frustration – trying to roll the rock up the hill only to see it roll back down. Graham Platner’s now defunct candidacy is the latest example of a party still in search of a strategy. Over many years, Democrats have built a coalition that has made it increasingly difficult to attract White working-class voters who once were the party’s backbone.
Turmoil in Colorado stirs up the Democrats -- again
A former member of Congress told me a story many years ago. He had been in the Texas legislature and one day got a letter from a constituent who was angry about a bill that had recently been enacted. He wrote back to say he understood her feelings and pointed out that he had voted against the measure. He said he got a letter back saying, “It doesn’t matter. You were there.” Welcome to 2026 and the state of the Democratic Party.
Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
Six months ahead of the November midterm elections, the Republican Party faces a deteriorating political climate, with Americans broadly dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s leadership on the Iran war and other key issues and an electorate in which Democrats are significantly more motivated to vote, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds (washingtonpost.com) Trump disapproval reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds By Scott Clement; Dan Balz 2026050304020300 Six months ahead of the November midterm elections, the Republican Party faces a deteriorating political climate, with Americans broadly dissatisfied with President Donald Trump's leadership on the Iran war and other key issues and an electorate in which Democrats are significantly more motivated to vote,...
60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds (washingtonpost.com) 60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds By Dan Balz; Scott Clement 2026022205010100 As President Donald Trump prepares to address the nation Tuesday evening, Americans remain generally sour about his performance, with majorities disapproving of his handling of priority initiatives while saying he has overreached the authority of his office, according to a...
Washington Post: Haben die Vorfälle in Minneapolis US-Präsident Trump in eine handfeste Krise manövriert?
Präsident Donald Trumps teilweiser Rückzug in Bezug auf die Durchsetzung der Einwanderungsgesetze in Minneapolis ist ein Chaos, das er selbst verursacht hat. Verunglimpfungen, großspurigen Äußerungen und extravaganten Versprechungen prägten lange seine Vorgehensweise. Aber sein hartes Durchgreifen und zwei Todesfälle in Minnesota haben zu einer vorhersehbaren öffentlichen Gegenreaktion geführt. Wie geht es nun weiter für den Präsidenten?
Washington Post: Haben die Vorfälle in Minneapolis US-Präsident Trump in eine handfeste Krise manövriert?
Ihre Lokalausgabe ist nun
Washington Post: Haben die Vorfälle in Minneapolis US-Präsident Trump in eine handfeste Krise manövriert?
Ihre Lokalausgabe ist nun
Trump is dealing with an immigration mess of his own making
President Donald Trumps partial retreat on immigration enforcement in Minneapolis is a mess of his own making. His approach to immigration long has been one of denigration, bluster and extravagant promises. But heavy-handed tactics and two killings in Minnesota have generated a predictable public backlash. What next for the president? The killing of Alex Pretti on Saturday, coming just two weeks after the shooting death of Rene Good, represents a crisis moment for Trumps immigration policy.
Voters divided on midterms despite broad Trump disapproval, poll finds
Americans broadly disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling his job, and a majority say he has gone too far in exercising the powers of his office, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. But a year out from the 2026 midterm elections, there is little evidence that negative impressions of Trump’s performance have accrued to the benefit of the Democratic Party, with voters split almost evenly in their support for Democrats and Republicans.
Voters broadly disapprove of Trump but remain divided on midterms, poll finds Original
Voters broadly disapprove of Trump but remain divided on midterms, poll finds (washingtonpost.com) Voters broadly disapprove of Trump but remain divided on midterms, poll finds By Scott Clement; Dan Balz; Andrew Ba Tran 2025110204010000 Americans broadly disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling his job, and a majority say he has gone too far in exercising the powers of his office, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
Analysis | After 47 years on the political beat for The Post, it’s transition time
About two months ago, my wife was out for a walk and stopped to talk with a man working in his yard. When he realized that she and I were married, he said: “Tell him he writes too long.” Good advice, though I ask for some dispensation for this, my final Sunday Take. By the time you read this, I will have retired from full-time work at The Washington Post after 47 years. From here forward, my esteemed colleague and good friend, Karen Tumulty, will take over this space. I couldn’t be happier.
Analysis: Consumed by Epstein, Trump loses ground on economy, immigration
President Donald Trump spent much of last week trying to fend off a revolt in his base over the Jeffrey Epstein case, but he has more than just problems within his own MAGA followers. He has lost ground with the broader public on issues that once were among his strongest attributes. A year ago, voters saw Trump as a better steward of the economy than Vice President Kamala Harris.
Analysis | Consumed by Epstein, Trump has lost ground on the economy and immigration
President Donald Trump spent much of last week trying to fend off a revolt in his base over the Jeffrey Epstein case, but he has more than just problems within his own MAGA followers. He has lost ground with the broader public on issues that once were among his strongest attributes. A year ago, voters saw Trump as a better steward of the economy than Vice President Kamala Harris.
Musk says he wants a new political party, and many agree. Can he pull it off?
Musk says he wants a new political party, and many agree. Can he pull it off? (washingtonpost.com) Musk says he wants a new political party, and many agree. Can he pull it off? Would-be independent candidates have been searching for what they say is a sensible center of the electorate for a long time. No one has found it. By Dan Balz 2025071309000000 For the moment, let's take seriously Elon Musk's talk about trying to start a new political party to compete with the Republican and Democratic parties.
Race to define Trump’s legislation to voters is next political test
Race to define Trump’s legislation to voters is next political test (washingtonpost.com) Race to define Trump’s legislation to voters is next political test Republicans spent months selling the bill to themselves. Now they have to talk to a wider audience with many voters saying they don’t know what’s in it.
Analysis: Trump strikes Iran hard, and the world waits for what comes next
President Donald Trump has taken the United States to a place no previous president was prepared to go - launching an all-out assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities with the goal of denying the Iranians the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. Having started down this path, the president - and the world - will await the Iranian response and whatever wider consequences follow. There is no way to overstate the significance of what Trump has set in motion or to predict how it will end.
Trump strikes Iran hard, and the world waits for what comes next
Trump strikes Iran hard, and the world waits for what comes next (washingtonpost.com) Trump strikes Iran hard, and the world waits for what comes next Trump hopes to emerge as a bold commander who achieved a goal long sought by the U.S. — destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities without being drawn into a lasting conflict. Middle Eastern history shows the difficulty of achieving that goal.
Analysis: Musk has billions, but Trump has presidency.
There will be no true winners in the spectacular breakup between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two alpha males with enormous egos and a penchant for rhetorical combat – and for excess. To many Americans watching it all, the two deserve each other. But in the end, Musk should know who truly holds the cards, and it’s not him. The implosion that occurred Thursday was an irresistible spectacle pitting the most powerful person in the world against the richest person in the world.
Musk and DOGE are a metaphor for early months of Trump’s administration
Musk and DOGE are a metaphor for early months of Trump’s administration (washingtonpost.com) Musk and DOGE are a metaphor for early months of Trump’s administration Trump’s initial weeks have featured big promises, lots of drama, disruption, mistakes, directional shifts and business far from finished.
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Is a Big Risk for House Republicans. Many of Them Hope Otherwise.
As the 2026 midterms loom, voters are restless and eager to penalize those in power. Every election starting with 2006, with the exception of 2012, has been a change election. The 2026 midterm elections are still far into the future, but Republicans are placing a big and risky bet that they can survive the coming attacks on President Donald Trump’s spending and tax cut bill and the potential impact of his erratic tariff policies. History is not on their side.
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' Is A Big Risk For House Republicans. Many Of Them Hope Otherwise. (Video)
The 2026 midterm elections are still far into the future, but Republicans are placing a big and risky bet that they can survive the coming attacks on President Donald Trump's spending and tax cut bill and the potential impact of his erratic tariff policies. History is not on their side. That spending and tax cut bill, titled the One Big Beautiful Bill, still has significant hurdles ahead.
Analysis: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big risk for House Republicans
The 2026 midterm elections are still far into the future, but Republicans are placing a big and risky bet that they can survive the coming attacks on President Donald Trump’s spending and tax cut bill and the potential impact of his erratic tariff policies. History is not on their side. That spending and tax cut bill, titled the One Big Beautiful Bill, still has significant hurdles ahead.
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big risk for House Republicans. Many of them hope otherwise.
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big risk for House Republicans. Many of them hope otherwise. (washingtonpost.com) The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is a big risk for House Republicans. Many of them hope otherwise. As the 2026 midterms loom, voters are restless and eager to penalize those in power. Every election starting with 2006, with the exception of 2012, has been a change election.
For Democrats, there’s no escaping (for now) the Biden hangover from 2024
For Democrats, there’s no escaping (for now) the Biden hangover from 2024 (washingtonpost.com) For Democrats, there’s no escaping (for now) the Biden hangover from 2024 At a time when they need to be looking forward, Democrats are having to revisit the question of why they didn’t call on the then-president not to seek a second term. By Dan Balz 2025051809000000 The verdict is in. Joe Biden is to blame. So too are the advisers who protected him in the White House by hiding his frailties.
Analysis | Trump said ‘only the best’ would serve. That’s not how it’s worked out.
Personnel is policy, it’s often said. It’s also revealing of character, and on that measure, President Donald Trump continued to show his true colors with a pair of moves this past week. He once promised to appoint “only the best and most serious people” to government. He has made a mockery of that pledge, though perhaps to no one’s surprise.
In Britain, there’s also no avoiding Trump, with criticism from left and right
In Britain, there’s also no avoiding Trump, with criticism from left and right (washingtonpost.com) In Britain, there’s also no avoiding Trump, with criticism from left and right Trump’s approach to foreign policy has prompted fears about repeating “mistakes of appeasement” among many in Britain -- a strong U.S. ally.
Trump Approval Sinks As Americans Criticize His Major Policies, Poll Finds
Trump's overall approval rating is lower than it was only two months ago. The poll shows that 39 percent of adult Americans approve of the way Trump is handling his job, compared with 55 percent who disapprove, including 44 percent who disapprove strongly. In February, those numbers were 45 percent positive and 53 percent negative. Among registered voters, the deterioration has been even larger. In February, 48 percent of registered voters gave him positive marks, compared with 51 percent negative.
An unpopular president continues to push radical changes on the country
An unpopular president continues to push radical changes on the country (washingtonpost.com) An unpopular president continues to push radical changes on the country Though his poll numbers have declined, the president has continued his zeal to pursue controversial policies by bulldozing whatever checks lie in his path. By Dan Balz 2025042709000000 Headlines this weekend describe Donald Trump's presidency as in decline. His poll numbers are falling. His Pentagon is in disarray over its leader.
Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds
Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds (washingtonpost.com) Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds By Dan Balz; Scott Clement; Emily Guskin 2025042704000000 As he nears the end of his first 100 days in office, President Donald Trump is facing growing opposition to his ambitious and controversial agenda, with his approval rating in decline, majority opposition to major initiatives, and perceptions that his administration...
African News Agency : Welcome
[Published: Sunday April 27 2025] An unpopular president continues to push radical changes on the country By Dan Balz, the Washington Post WASHINGTON, 27 April. - (ANA) - Headlines this weekend describe Donald Trump’s presidency as in decline. His poll numbers are falling. His Pentagon is in disarray over its leader. His tariff policy has spooked markets and forced a partial retreat. His immigration policy is under challenge in multiple courts.
African News Agency : Welcome
[Published: Sunday April 27 2025] Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds By Dan Balz, Scott Clement and Emily Guskin WASHINGTON, 27 April. - (ANA) - US President Donald Trump approval sinks as Americans criticize his major policies, poll finds. After high expectations before he returned to office, most Americans say the president has made the economy worse.
Analysis: Trump claims unfettered presidential power on immigration
From the day he came down the escalator to announce his candidacy for the White House, President Donald Trump has had one go-to issue in his political playbook: immigration. He rode it to the White House in 2016 and again in 2024. He has now ridden it into a major confrontation with the courts. The battle has been building for weeks, a clash over the rule of law and due process vs.
Trump claims unfettered presidential power on immigration
Trump claims unfettered presidential power on immigration (washingtonpost.com) Trump claims unfettered presidential power on immigration The president’s deportations have created a clash between the rule of law and due process, and his assertions of presidential power and resistance to challenges by federal judges.
Trump is pursuing a radical agenda. Does he have a strategy, or is he winging it?
Trump is pursuing a radical agenda. Does he have a strategy, or is he winging it? (washingtonpost.com) Trump is pursuing a radical agenda. Does he have a strategy, or is he winging it? The haphazard execution of the administration’s initiatives is leading to chaos and confusion for the American public and U.S. trading partners.
Trump starts a trade war, and Republicans are hostage to the outcome
Trump starts a trade war, and Republicans are hostage to the outcome (washingtonpost.com) Trump starts a trade war, and Republicans are hostage to the outcome There are signs of nervousness among Republican lawmakers, small indications of resistance or opposition to some of the tariffs. By Dan Balz 2025040609000000 President Donald Trump has long campaigned against endless wars.
Trump seeks takeover of elections in a bid for more presidential power
Trump seeks takeover of elections in a bid for more presidential power (washingtonpost.com) Trump seeks takeover of elections in a bid for more presidential power Rooted in the president’s false claims of election fraud, Trump’s executive order is illustrative of governing through dictates rather than legislation. By Dan Balz 2025033009000000 Almost no part of government is immune from President Donald Trump's thirst for power and control.
Analysis | Trump seeks takeover of elections in a bid for more presidential power
5 hours ago Stealing more than bases. A Pennsylvania cop’s wife is accused of pocketing nearly $150,000 from a youth sports program – and then blowing the cash on concerts and lavish shopping sprees – while serving as the league’s treasurer, according to reports. Carla O’Brien, 48, was booked Thursday for …
Analysis | San Francisco mayor fights crime, homelessness amid turnaround hopes
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Daniel Lurie was walking along the corridor to his private office when he paused and pointed to a photograph on the wall. The photo was of James “Sunny Jim” Rolph Jr., with whom Lurie bears a special kinship. Both were elected to lead the city despite having no prior experience in government. Rolph, who served 19 years as mayor and later served as governor of California, was first elected in 1911.
Trump’s speech showed Democrats at low ebb. A comeback will take work
The Democrats showed last week that presidential addresses to Congress are no place to mount a resistance. Almost everything they did during President Donald Trump’s appearance highlighted weakness rather than strength. They lacked a unified strategy, relying instead on several approaches. The sum was less than the parts. Many Democrats left worried their party is even weaker than it appeared after Trump’s victory in November.
Analysis | Trump’s speech showed Democrats at low ebb. A comeback will take work.
The Democrats showed last week that presidential addresses to Congress are no place to formulate a resistance. Almost everything they did during President Donald Trump’s appearance highlighted weakness rather than strength. They had not one strategy but several. The sum was less than the parts.
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