Meanwhile, there is still an election on. Republicans are split on how much they need Trump for the midterm elections. Some candidates have quietly indicated they would rather such an unpopular president didn’t visit their districts, while others want Trump to focus much more on pushing out economic messaging that will help candidates during a tough part of the cycle.

Either way, Trump flew to his golf course just outside Los Angeles on Tuesday for a Republican National Committee roundtable and reception. Then it was on to Las Vegas so that he could spend the night in one of his own properties.

The next day saw Trump entertain a rally crowd, where he hammered one of the economic successes of his second term: no tax on tips. He also used the occasion to attack Democrats, who, the day earlier, had nominated a string of progressive or socialist candidates in key election races.

Back at the White House on Thursday, Trump signed two executive orders targeting birthright citizenship, including one that would outlaw what his officials call “birth tourism” and another narrowing who qualifies for citizenship. They will almost certainly face legal challenges and likely end up at the Supreme Court.

Trump also hit back at reporting that the U.S. war in Iran meant supplies of missiles and other armaments were running desperately low, hence the pause on strikes, and claims that he clashed with his war secretary over the issue last week.

“The Fake News, as usual, is spreading false and completely unfounded rumors. I am extremely happy with the job that Pete Hegseth is doing,” he posted on Truth Social.

At the same time, more details circulated of a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, giving Iran considerable power over shipping entering the waterway. Maybe peace requires offering Tehran a face-saving way out of the impasse. But can Trump accept such a compromise?

Friday began poorly. The economy lost 23,000 payroll jobs in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, as businesses contended with the energy supply shock from the war with Iran.

So what did our two political strategists make of it?

John Zogby: Grade F

A brand-new poll taken just on Tuesday and Wednesday by John Zogby Strategies has nothing but very bad news for Trump. His overall approval rating is down to 38%, our lowest yet, with 59% disapproving.

The news gets even worse when the “likely voters” in the poll rate their approval on individual issues. On handling Iran, Trump rates only a 33% approval and 61% disapproval, and on his signature issue of immigration, he gets his best, but still upside-down, rating of 44% and 51%.

Thirty-five percent rate him positively on the economy, 32% on affordability, 35% on foreign policy, 32% on tariffs, and 40% crime and safety. In every case, there is majority disapproval.

Only 29% are proud that he is president of the U.S., while 54% say they are ashamed. In March, the figures were 36% proud and 48% ashamed.

A majority, 53%, say the costs of the war in Iran outweigh the gains, while 33% say the benefits outweigh the costs.

The president again said this week that the U.S. and Iran were close to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but again, there is no deal. In fact, once again. Iranian spokespersons said there are no negotiations.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command announced that it has been reduced to crowdsourcing for new ideas on how best to pressure and punish Iran.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has won the president’s disfavor for refusing to challenge a judge who dismissed the Reflecting Pool case of vandalism against an Olympic athlete. Trump wanted her to defy the judge and pursue the case even after a report that the problem was caused by shoddy workmanship, not vandalism. Her job now is in jeopardy.

And now, War Secretary Pete Hegseth is on the hot seat for a leak that the U.S. does not have enough missiles to launch a promised full-scale attack on Iran. A new poll by Quinnipiac University reveals that 49% acknowledge they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, and a majority feel the economy is getting worse.

John Zogby (@ZogbyStrategies) is the founder of the Zogby Survey and senior partner at John Zogby Strategies. His latest book is Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read Polls and Why We Should. His podcast with son, managing partner, and pollster Jeremy Zogby, can be heard here.

Jed Babbin: C-

From birthright citizenship to the wokeness that has taken over the Smithsonian, Trump had a pretty good week. But then again, there’s the Iran war, which he doesn’t know how to get free of.

Trump signed two executive orders, seeking to get around the Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship. The first tries to end “birth tourism,” and the second orders his administration not to recognize birthright citizenship in people who are children of terrorists or work for foreign governments. It’s a good try but will have to face the courts.

The Smithsonian is another issue altogether. For more than two years, the Trump administration has been investigating the Smithsonian for its wokeness and its dedication to DEI, which the president wants to see eradicated from government. The worst incident, by far, is the failure of the Smithsonian to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth adequately, making little notice of the event. Look for massive turnover at the Smithsonian in the coming months.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at over 54,000 for most of the week. The economy’s doing just fine, thank you.

The Iran war isn’t going well. Trump wants to punish the “leakers” who told the press about our running out of munitions.

The “Bored of Peace” deal between Hamas and the BOP is going nowhere. Hamas won’t disarm, and the Israelis won’t pull out of Gaza.

The Omani deal with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz is also a dead end. The deal is apparently contingent on our lifting of our blockade on Iranian ports and our promise not to attack Iranian infrastructure. That ain’t happening either.

Trump seems at a loss to bring the war to a successful conclusion. He keeps threatening dire consequences for Iran if it doesn’t come to the negotiation table and give him what he wants. But it isn’t going to do that, no matter how hard his threats. If you don’t carry out the threats, Mr. President, they’re meaningless.

Jed Babbin (@jedbabbin) is a Washington Examiner contributor and former deputy undersecretary of defense in the administration of President George H.W. Bush.

Crossover day for James Talarico?

Are you watching Kalshi, the prediction market platform, and the Senate race in Texas?

Republican nominee Ken Paxton started the week with a decent lead. Users gave him a 53.7% chance of winning, compared with 46.3% for Democratic nominee James Talarico.

But that 7-point lead has dwindled all week. At the time of writing, Paxton’s lead stands at just two points. Is his political and personal baggage catching up with him?

Secrets is keeping a close eye on it after hearing from online gambling experts that they expect Talarico to move into the lead any minute now. Will it be today?

Lunchtime reading

She escaped teen marriage in Appalachia. Her time at Harvard was even worse: Secrets hasn’t read this yet. But we are absolute suckers for headlines like this.

Jeanine Pirro berated Doug Burgum. But Interior staffers have been angry at him for months: This is why the U.S. attorney for D.C. might yet hang on.

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