This Week with George Stephanopoulos Full Broadcast - Sunday, October 18, 2026

[0:00] Republicans are facing major headwinds. [0:02] We traveled thousands of miles from coast to coast, [0:05] hearing concerns directly from voters. [0:07] This week starts right now. [0:10] Republican alarm. [0:11] We're all pretty staunch Republicans. [0:14] There's a lot of wavering going on right now. [0:17] With the midterms now just 16 days away. [0:20] We are putting it all out on the line. [0:23] The GOP scrambles to blunt the impact [0:26] of Trump's low approval. [0:28] We'll have results just in [0:30] from our new ABC News Washington Post Ipsos poll [0:34] and coast to coast road trip. [0:36] We traveled from Maine to Alaska [0:39] with the heartland in between [0:40] to talk to voters and candidates as well. [0:43] What's on voters' minds as they head to the polls? [0:47] The war's hurting us without a doubt. [0:49] I'm voting like my life depends on it. [0:52] This morning, our report from five states [0:55] across the country, [0:57] waiving sanctions after a controversial Russian diesel deal. [1:01] Ukrainian President Zelensky fires back on Trump's latest move [1:06] to ease pressure on Putin. [1:08] We speak with Energy Secretary Chris Ryan. [1:11] Russia today exports open. [1:12] Unprecedented escalation. [1:14] This is just an effort to sow chaos into the election. [1:17] Just days until the midterms, [1:19] the Trump administration threatens to prosecute [1:22] California election officials. [1:25] And oversees anger over the rising cost of living, [1:29] the extraordinary scenes playing out in the streets of France. [1:36] From ABC News, it's This Week. [1:38] Here now, Martha Raditz. [1:41] Good morning and welcome to This Week. [1:44] We spoke with Americans thousands of miles apart, [1:47] from Maine to Iowa to the far reaches of Alaska, [1:51] where we got some tips on fly fishing. [1:56] It is here, in the breathtaking beauty of Alaska, [2:00] America's largest state, [2:02] where the catch that decides the balance of power in Washington [2:06] could be, like so many other states, affordability. [2:10] Josh, what's the biggest issue now for Alaska? [2:14] Gas, groceries, paying about $5.50 to $6 for regular gas, [2:21] and upwards of $7.50 for diesel. [2:26] It's just very expensive to live up here. [2:28] Josh York, a combat-tested retired Army major, [2:32] works in health care now. [2:34] You know, we've had to plan and budget for tariffs. [2:39] That is, you know, that's money [2:42] that could be going back to patient care. [2:44] York voted for Donald Trump three times. [2:48] He likes some things the president has done, [2:50] but not everything. [2:52] I have to question, you know, how are folks surviving? [2:55] And it seems like the problems with Iran [2:59] are just multiplying all of the issues [3:01] with what we're paying on a day-to-day basis. [3:06] Let me ask you this, let's go through a few things. [3:08] Approve or disapprove of the way President Trump [3:11] is handling the economy? [3:13] Disapprove. [3:15] Approve or disapprove of the way he's handling the war? [3:18] Disapprove. [3:20] Approve or disapprove of, overall, [3:24] the direction the country's going? [3:25] Disapprove right now, yep. [3:28] In 2024, Trump won the state of Alaska by 13%, [3:33] but two-term Republican Senator Dan Sullivan [3:36] is running in a tougher-than-expected race here [3:39] against Democrat Mary Peltola. [3:41] Typically, I would probably vote for Sullivan. [3:45] You know, I know that they both have their ideas for Alaska [3:49] and how they want to do things, [3:51] and I'm not gonna, you know, say one's right [3:53] versus the other being wrong. [3:55] But, you know, at this point, [3:58] I've got to look at what's best for my family. [4:00] I've got to look at what's best for my kids. [4:02] So it sounds like you haven't quite decided. [4:05] Not yet. [4:06] And York is not alone in this state [4:08] of three-quarters of a million people. [4:10] Alaska is not only unique because of its size, [4:14] but its political population as well. [4:17] 60% of the voters here are unaffiliated. [4:21] Peltola, an Alaska native and former congresswoman, [4:24] is hoping to win over those voters [4:27] by emphasizing Alaska first [4:29] and lowering the cost of living, [4:32] putting Republicans on defense. [4:34] I do not think there's any way, shape, or form. [4:37] The U.S. should be buying anything from Russia. [4:40] Wow, thank you very much. [4:43] President Trump headlining a rally this week in Alaska [4:47] trying to bolster Sullivan's chances. [4:49] Nobody's done more for Alaska than Donald J. Trump, [4:52] that I can tell you. [4:54] But unlike some Republican candidates [4:57] in other tight races, [4:58] Sullivan has not shied away from the president. [5:02] We also know we face challenges. [5:04] One of those is the high cost of energy. [5:07] These costs matter. [5:09] Alaskans should know that all of us, [5:11] from the president on down, [5:13] are working on these challenges every day. [5:16] Not all Republicans here in Alaska [5:19] thought the rally benefited Sullivan. [5:21] I was excited about it, and then I watched, [5:23] and I wonder why he came. [5:25] He made it harder, I believe, [5:26] on electing Republican candidates, not easier. [5:30] I think without knowing it, [5:31] he divided conservative Alaskans. [5:34] Brett Huber Sr. has been involved [5:36] in electing Alaskan Republicans [5:38] to local, state, and national offices for decades. [5:42] He says he's worried about Sullivan's chances this cycle. [5:46] Anchorage, we're running out of natural gas. [5:48] We're talking about rolling brownouts this year. [5:50] So being able to buy groceries, afford it, [5:53] have energy for our homes. [5:54] Yeah, the war's hurting us, without a doubt. [5:56] The surge in gas and diesel prices exacerbated [5:59] in some of the far reaches of the state. [6:02] But with momentum building, Democrats have high hopes here, [6:06] like Peltola supporter Patrice Parker. [6:09] Tell me what you like about her. [6:10] I mean, I disagree with a couple things, [6:12] but she's honest. [6:15] I don't think she'll vote with the president [6:18] unless it's for the benefit of Alaska. [6:22] 2,700 miles away from the glaciers of Alaska, [6:27] there are more warning signs for Republicans [6:30] in the heartland. [6:31] I won't deny we have headwinds, [6:32] and it's gonna be a hard fight. [6:34] Retiring Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska [6:38] has a long history with President Trump. [6:41] I think Bacon's a bad guy, you know? [6:43] I mean, he's a bad guy. [6:44] Bacon has been willing to speak up against the president [6:47] when he disagrees with him, [6:49] which he says has helped him get reelected four times. [6:53] But Republicans could lose the seat this time around. [6:57] When your president of your party is polling in the mid-30s, [7:00] that's very hard for Republicans to make up that number. [7:04] And I've had to do it in 2020 or 2018 and 2020, 2022 even. [7:09] I do think when I go around the district, [7:12] I do hear from, I would say, more independent-minded people, [7:16] I'm not talking about the left and right, [7:17] but more independent, [7:19] that they wanted Congress to be more of a check and balance. [7:23] We should have been more of a check and balance. [7:27] Across the border in Iowa, Republican candidates [7:30] are distancing themselves from the president. [7:33] We need to lower gas prices in this country. [7:35] We need to lower diesel prices, [7:36] but I don't think we need to be making a deal with Russia [7:38] to do it. [7:39] Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson [7:41] is locked in a tight race with state representative [7:44] and former Paralympian Joss Turek [7:47] to replace retiring GOP Senator Joni Ernst. [7:51] We are in this situation because of this unnecessary war [7:54] in Iran that Ashley Hinson voted in favor [7:56] of continuing seven times. [7:58] For Republicans in Iowa, [8:00] the issues they are facing couldn't be more difficult. [8:03] The farmers and ranchers here, [8:05] everything they need to work to feed their families, [8:08] to feed the nation seemed to be more expensive. [8:11] Trump won the Hawkeye state by 13% just two years ago, [8:16] but here in Southwestern Iowa, [8:18] three-time Trump voter Dan Peterson [8:21] says the price of diesel is decimating his business. [8:25] Our tanks over there hold 3,500 gallons [8:27] and it costs $20,000 now to fill them. [8:31] A year ago at this time, it was about $10,000 to $12,000. [8:35] And then the ripple effect, [8:37] hauling cattle, pickups, trucks, everything, [8:41] just, it's just astronomical. [8:43] It's crazy, that's what I call it anymore, [8:45] it's just crazy. [8:46] Anger from farmers like Peterson [8:48] has upended Trump's popularity across the state. [8:52] I know your neighbors are spread apart here. [8:55] Do you feel a change? [8:58] Yeah. [8:58] What are you feeling? [9:00] Because most, you know, [9:01] a lot of my farm friends have, you know, [9:04] we're all pretty staunch Republicans at this and that. [9:08] And there's a lot of wavering going on right now. [9:12] This year, Peterson says he plans to vote for Turek. [9:16] Why are you voting for a Democrat instead of a Republican? [9:19] Just a change. [9:20] Just a change. [9:21] And I think he's going to be a pretty moderate. [9:23] You know, that's what we need. [9:25] Just, we don't need the crazy rights and the crazy less. [9:28] We just need back to the good old days. [9:30] But it's not just gas prices that have turned Peterson off the president. [9:35] He pointed to Trump's trade policies too. [9:38] I love cattle. [9:39] And why would we ever want to bring in Brazilian beef when we have this? [9:44] Best cattle to walk the planet. [9:45] Yeah. [9:46] I mean, absolutely positive. [9:47] That was, that's my biggest beef with Trump. [9:51] So to speak. [9:52] Yeah. [9:53] There you go. [9:54] That's good. [9:55] Yeah. [9:56] That's definitely wrong. [9:57] 100% wrong. [9:58] Some 1,200 miles away in New Hampshire, [10:03] it is Democrats that find themselves on defense to keep a Senate seat blue. [10:08] The cost of everything's far too high. [10:10] Congressman Chris Paffas is battling former Republican Senator John Sununu to replace [10:16] retiring Democratic Senator Gene Shaheen. [10:20] Sununu comes from a Granite State political dynasty. [10:23] I do have an opponent with a pretty famous political last name. [10:27] But the fact is, this is about more than political pedigree. [10:31] It's about more than the big money. [10:33] This is about how people are feeling about their own lives. [10:36] Sununu's father and brother were both popular governors. [10:40] I want to make sure America goes in a direction that's right for New Hampshire. [10:44] In a state with nearly a third of independent voters, [10:48] Sununu's message of independence from President Trump may be resonating, [10:53] according to some Republicans here. [10:55] John is that quintessential New Hampshire politician. [10:58] Very pragmatic, very common sense, very independent of Washington. [11:02] I think that's going to sell very well on November 3rd. [11:05] But for Laura Mick, who says she supported both Republicans and Democrats in the past, [11:10] she believes Pappas will fight harder to lower the cost of living. [11:15] I am voting like my life depends on it, and I feel like the average person can't make it anymore. [11:25] Just north of New Hampshire in Maine is a Senate seat Democrats have tried and failed to win for decades. [11:36] Republican Susan Collins has won time after time, even when her own party is unpopular. [11:43] I am the first person since Maine directly elected its senators to win a fifth term. [11:53] Democrats had high hopes oyster farmer Graham Plattner could flip the seat, [12:00] but he was pressured to drop out after accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced. [12:05] He denies any wrongdoing. [12:07] Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, who finished third in the gubernatorial primary, [12:13] was appointed by the party in July. [12:16] With polls neck and neck, a fiery final debate late this week. [12:23] They are poisoning our water. [12:26] So this is obviously one of Troy's supporters. [12:28] Oh, shut up. [12:29] I didn't, I didn't, I don't even know that kid. [12:31] Lifelong Democrat Marianne Lynch wants her party to control Congress. [12:36] But in this election, she's still backing Susan Collins. [12:40] I want the Democrats to win back the Senate. [12:43] I think it's possible for them to do that. [12:46] I just don't think we can be indiscriminate. [12:49] I think when we have a candidate of high integrity, high intelligence, high work ethic, and one [12:59] of the most powerful senators in Washington, we would be crazy not to send her back. [13:05] But voters like Brenda Garand tell a different story. [13:09] Do you wholeheartedly support Troy Jackson? [13:13] No. [13:14] Are you going to vote for him? [13:15] Yes. [13:16] I'm going to vote for him because I believe the highest and best use of my vote in the [13:23] 2026 midterms is to make sure that there is a blue majority in Washington. [13:28] Former Maine Republican Party leader, Tony Payne, left the GOP after becoming disillusioned [13:34] with the Tea Party movement. [13:36] He's now an independent planning to support Jackson. [13:39] He's got an attitude and he's a Democrat with hard edges. [13:43] And frankly, that's what the Democratic Party needs in Washington. [13:46] And Susan Collins is the enabler of Donald Trump. [13:50] As we like to say, she is the rubber stamp here in Maine. [13:53] From Maine to Alaska to the heartland, clear concern over the direction of the country with [14:01] control of Congress on the line. [14:03] Our thanks to all those voters. [14:07] President Trump is facing pretty difficult midterm elections. [14:11] His personal popularity is very low. [14:13] Diesel prices in the U.S. are very high. [14:16] And the war that he started in the Middle East is not going the way he wants it. [14:20] Do you think you are being treated as a scapegoat for his own problems? [14:31] This is my answer. [14:34] That was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's response when asked what's driving President [14:39] Trump's approach to him and the war in Ukraine. [14:43] Overnight, Ukraine launching one of its largest drone offensives of the war targeting Moscow [14:48] and St. Petersburg. [14:50] This comes after late Friday, President Trump offered another lifeline to Vladimir Putin. [14:56] Our Rachel Scott reports on the fallout. [14:59] Late Friday, President Trump signing an executive order to exempt Russia from new economic punishments. [15:05] That decision rendering the sanctions and tariffs bill, named after the late Republican Senator [15:09] Lindsey Graham, all but meaningless. [15:11] I think the president wants to take the 60-day period of time to sort of analyze what imposing [15:17] both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the U.S. economy. [15:22] The bill was supported by 86 senators and signed into law exactly one month ago. [15:27] Graham's sister disagreeing with the president. [15:30] Personally, I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia to end the war and get the gas prices [15:37] down because I don't trust Putin and I don't trust Russia. [15:40] Republican Senator Tom Tillis accusing Trump of capitulating to a Russian dictator. [15:45] Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal asserting Trump stands on the side of a bloodthirsty [15:49] thug. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging allies to keep the pressure on Putin. [15:55] The decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me, he said, [16:00] and it definitely helps only the Russians. [16:02] On the 2024 campaign trail, Trump had said he would end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. [16:07] I will have that war settled between Putin and Zelensky as president-elect before I take [16:14] office on January 20th. [16:15] But nearly two years into his second term, Russia's war in Ukraine rages on. [16:23] And Putin has given no indication that he's ready to end it, despite what Trump now says. [16:28] I think they actually both would like to see it end. [16:30] But I think I find Zelensky to be more difficult to deal with than Putin. [16:35] The president lashing out at Zelensky for targeting Russian oil refineries [16:39] as high diesel prices fuel frustration in the U.S. [16:41] I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, [16:46] because he could have made many deals that for some reason he never does. [16:49] The more than $6 a gallon diesel prices prompting Trump to recently negotiate a deal with Putin [16:55] to import millions of tons of diesel, despite a 2022 law banning the U.S. from importing Russian energy. [17:01] Zelensky calling that deal a birthday gift to Putin, [17:05] and blaming the high energy prices on a different conflict. [17:08] It's more simple to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine. [17:15] When everybody in the world understands because of the war in Middle East, the prices are rising. [17:24] Our thanks to Rachel Scott. I'm joined now in studio by Energy Secretary Chris Wright. [17:30] Good morning, Mr. Secretary. Good to see you. [17:33] The White House statement said that exempting Russia from new sanctions and tariffs [17:37] would impede ongoing U.S. efforts to negotiate a durable peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. [17:45] The president has called it good for the country. Russia invaded Ukraine. [17:50] How is essentially giving Russia an economic lifeline anything but a reward? [17:54] So it's not an economic lifeline. Russia today exports a lot of oil. That's what they want to [18:00] export. We have very tight sanctions on Russian oil. The tightest ever we put on last fall, [18:06] meaning their large companies, all their Russian exporters cannot export oil. It's only sanctioned [18:11] evasion oil that goes almost all to China. What the president move was done was for diesel fuel, [18:18] which is what the world is short right now. And Russia exports today zero diesel. This is an incentive to [18:25] Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, they can get an energy ceasefire, [18:31] or reduce the conflict such that they have diesel to export, will allow it to flow to world markets. [18:37] This is a carrot to try to end a war. It's not an economic lifeline for Russia. [18:42] You don't think this helps Russia in any way? The only way Russia gets benefit from this move [18:48] means they have to export diesel, which means they have to either consume less diesel internally, [18:54] reduce the war effort, or have an ability to repair their refineries, which they only can get to [19:00] through a peace agreement with Ukraine, an energy ceasefire, or a step towards peace. [19:04] Let's talk about the reaction to this, and that's 300,000 barrels or tons going out of the diesel. [19:14] Ukraine's President Zelensky says it only fuels Russia's satisfaction and their desire to keep killing [19:20] people. A bipartisan group of senators called on President Trump to reverse course. They wrote, [19:27] this deal is a gift to our adversary and a betrayal of our allies, allowing Russian origin diesel [19:33] into global markets will offer limited to no relief to Americans. It will have a negligible impact on [19:40] fuel prices, but the revenues the Kremlin will receive from this agreement will undoubtedly finance [19:46] its desired war of attrition. Senator Ted Cruz calling it a mistake. Are you saying they're just [19:52] all wrong? This won't help? In fact, they are all wrong. They don't understand what President Trump's [19:57] doing. Energy is complicated. This is not a removal of sanctions of what Russia is currently exporting. [20:04] But it's what Russia wants, and Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia did invade Ukraine. Russia started [20:10] this war, and President Trump has worked relentlessly to find a road to peace and to find a road to greater [20:16] energy supplies in the world. This checks both boxes. Russia would get a benefit if they reduce [20:23] their war effort, and then they can export diesel. This is a carrot for Russia to reduce the war effort [20:31] and drive down energy prices for Americans and the rest of the world at the same time. [20:35] But still something Russia wants. Look, the administration has been berating countries for [20:40] buying Russian oil. This is what you said just over a year ago about India buying Russian oil. [20:47] India has decided to make the trade-off to buy cheaper oil and sort of look the other way, [20:52] that that's giving money to a guy who's murdering thousands of people every week. [20:58] What has changed? Putin is still murdering thousands. [21:02] And my point there stands. We haven't reduced sanctions on the export of Russian oil, [21:07] which is what I was speaking about. Diesel. [21:09] They're very different. Russia wants to and can export oil, as it was true when I said that, [21:16] and as is true today. We have not removed the sanctions on Russian oil. We are removing sanctions [21:22] on a product that Russia currently does not and cannot export. The way forward for Russia to be [21:29] able to export diesel is to reduce their war effort, make progress towards peace. [21:34] President Trump said that there was a deal, a ceasefire, an energy ceasefire a week ago. [21:41] Russia and Ukraine said there was no such thing. Were you involved in that? Was there anything? [21:45] This is President Trump encouraging Russia. If they want to export diesel, if they want to get the [21:50] benefits you believe that are about to be showered upon them, the only way they can do that is with [21:56] an energy ceasefire or some reduction of war effort. He said there was one. [21:59] Was there ever one? Because Russia and Ukraine didn't. President Trump is always working to move [22:05] them in the direction to have that kind of a deal. That is the only way Russia would benefit from this [22:11] reduction of sanctions only on diesel exports, not on oil exports, not on any other Russian exports. [22:18] So a carrot, no pressure right now. Why give Russia a carrot? [22:23] Oh, a lot of pressure. There have never been sanctions nearly as strong on Russia today [22:30] as there as there is under the Trump administration. The Biden administration has sort of- [22:34] Why a carrot at this moment? Because four and a half years into this war, [22:39] a million and a half casualties haven't brought an end to the war. [22:43] President Trump isn't going to just throw up his arms and say, well, I guess we can never stop it. [22:47] Look, the Biden administration was feckless here, had over $5 a gallon price of gasoline, [22:54] and did nothing meaningful to end the war. That's about two years ago. [22:57] Clearly it's a tricky problem. But President Trump is working on it. [22:59] President Trump has been president almost two years. I know you're making efforts [23:03] to lower gas prices and improve the economy, but voters don't appear to be buying that. [23:09] In our poll, three quarters of Americans rated the economy negatively and now say they trust [23:14] Democrats to handle the economy more than they trust Republicans. A flip from the poll in July [23:19] and from our polls going back to 2022, where Republicans had the edge. Voters are not happy about this. [23:27] You know they are not happy about this. And how can anything possibly change before the midterms? [23:32] Both gasoline and diesel prices peaked a few weeks ago. They've pulled back only slightly. We'd like [23:40] them to pull back a lot more than they have. So your point is correct there. People are upset about [23:44] high gasoline and diesel prices and we understand that. Which is why we're working in all different [23:50] avenues to address that problem. The first refinery to be built in the United States in decades will go [23:56] under construction next year. We're working with existing refineries to expand their through. But [24:01] in contrast, Martha, in contrast, the Democrats for 15 years have done everything they can to make [24:08] energy more expensive. They've closed coal plants. They've closed refineries. Gavin Newsom has forced [24:13] the closure of two refineries in the last 12 months. [24:15] The Strait of Hormuz and the Iran War, you would admit, caused a lot of these problems. [24:21] Absolutely. To prevent the Iranian regime from getting nuclear weapons absolutely comes at a cost. [24:30] The Iranian regime killed 30,000 to 40,000 of their own citizens in January. Since then, [24:37] they've bombed every neighbor they have. Are you comfortable? Are you comfortable with a nuclear-armed [24:41] Iranian regime? Understand the point of stopping a nuclear weapon. That has not happened yet, [24:47] and there's no end in sight at this point. It's a tricky problem. I appreciate tremendously the [24:54] president's courage to end the long-term problem. Does it come with some short-term political pain? [24:59] It does. But that's called leadership. President Trump wants to bring peace to the world and drive [25:05] energy prices down. He works every single day for that. To hear Democrats today, who for 15 years have [25:12] striven to raise the price of energy very successfully, I'll add. Gasoline and diesel are much more [25:18] expensive in states governed by Democrats. Electricity is much more expensive in states governed by [25:23] Democrats. So their newfound love of low energy prices is a little politically disingenuous. [25:29] I also want to go back to that poll where these voters are blaming the president for these energy [25:34] costs. But we thank you for joining us this morning. Mr. Secretary, appreciate it. [25:38] Thank you. Coming up, the extraordinary move by the Justice Department, [25:41] threatening to prosecute California election officials, our Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre [25:45] Thomas explains when we come back. With the midterms just 16 days away, the Department of Justice [25:54] is ramping up their pressure on states as part of their hunt for non-citizen voters, [26:00] making a dramatic threat late Friday. Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas has the latest. [26:05] Late Friday, the Justice Department taking the extraordinary step of threatening Los Angeles election [26:12] officials with criminal charges and prison if they don't comply with its demands to hunt for non-citizens [26:18] among state voters. DOJ was blunt, writing that if state officials knowingly count votes [26:24] cast by suspected non-citizens, they risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime. DOJ telling [26:31] California officials to set aside more than 20,000 ballots for review, raising questions about whether ballots [26:38] from those potential voters would be counted in the upcoming midterms. President Trump has been closely [26:43] watching it all, immediately amplifying DOJ's threat Friday night on social media, saying if California [26:50] officials don't comply, they will all go to jail for a long period of time. And it's not just California in [26:56] the crosshairs. The administration has also been claiming that Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada have [27:02] thousands of non-citizen voters. Only New Jersey finding non-citizen voters. This entire situation [27:09] is unacceptable. State officials said a glitch in its software registered more than 6,000 non-citizens [27:14] to vote. Less than 400 actually cast ballots. ABC News getting a rare glimpse into how the [27:20] administration's unprecedented pressure campaign is unfolding both in public and private. Obtaining this [27:27] recording of a recent video conference between Nevada election administrators and federal [27:32] homeland security officials, including Heather Honey, who participated in efforts to overturn the 2020 [27:38] election. Nevada election officials appearing highly skeptical that the state had 15,903 [27:45] non-citizens on state voter rolls, as DHS had suggested. So what you're saying is the 15,000 number [27:55] has not been vetted. I probably wouldn't use the sentence it hasn't been vetted. Nevada officials [28:01] telling ABC News that to date they've not found a single non-citizen voter based on the information [28:07] provided by the Trump administration. With DHS previously telling ABC News they stand by their [28:14] numbers. In one tense moment, a Nevada official explaining what's at stake. We also don't want to [28:20] you know inadvertently accuse the U.S. citizen of not being and then you know they're terrified and [28:24] disenfranchised. The administration's aggressive efforts come despite all recent credible studies, [28:30] concluding that voter fraud is not widespread and that non-citizen voting is rare and certainly not [28:36] widespread enough to impact elections in any meaningful way. There is no widespread fraud in [28:43] any election across America. That's Cisco Aguilar, the top election official in Nevada. He called the [28:49] administration's efforts pure intimidation and his response to the threat of being jailed regarding [28:54] non-citizens. This is just an effort to sow chaos into the election, to create confusion, but also [29:01] to add a level of intimidation on election folks. Martha, with the administration accusing some [29:06] officials in key states of allowing conditions where non-citizens can vote, we appear headed to court [29:12] battles in the final days of the election. Martha? Pierre Thomas, thank you. We'll get the roundtable's [29:18] take on that and the barrage of money being spent. Will a major cash advantage help Republicans? We're [29:24] back in two minutes. And the roundtable's all here now. Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile, [29:32] The Washington Post Dan Lamoff, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce, [29:38] and National Review Editor Ramesh Ponourou. And I am going to start with you, Ramesh. [29:44] You've seen the polls. I don't know if you were surprised by those polls. You heard the voters [29:48] in my piece with really some strong comments against President Trump. They're unhappy with him. [29:54] You think this will really hurt in the midterms? Oh, I think no question. Midterm elections in [30:00] modern America turn on opinions of the president. And this president has shed a lot of his supporters [30:06] from 2024. They feel, and I think accurately feel, that he took them for granted. They elected him on the [30:13] basis of prices being too high. He said prices were going to come down. They haven't come down. In [30:18] fact, inflation is about the same level it was at the end of the Biden administration. [30:24] And they don't see Trump taking action or even really registering much concern about it. [30:28] And Donna, they keep trying to take it back to Joe Biden. You heard the energy secretary there. But [30:34] are you pretty confident about what you're seeing? Were you shocked by these numbers or not? [30:38] I was surprised by these numbers. The reason why, two years ago, the American people wanted change. [30:44] And they gave Donald Trump an opportunity to bring back the golden era. I mean, he used that term [30:51] on election night in 2024. Instead, what are they receiving? Higher prices at the gas pump, [30:57] higher prices when you go out and buy groceries. We were talking in the green room, if you don't mind me, [31:03] telling our private conversation about the price of chicken. I mean, yes, you can no longer afford [31:09] to buy a whole chicken. And if you cut it up, you better make sure you get the best part of it, [31:14] which is cheaper, which is dark meat. Okay, the prices are insane. And the American people are [31:20] tired of it. They're tired of Trump's tariffs, Trump inflation, and Trump's forever wars. [31:26] But Mary, you're at the White House every single day. And there's one person who's very confident [31:31] about the midterms thinking they're going to do great. And that is President Trump. And yet, [31:36] you've seen where he has been campaigning in states that should be guaranteed. [31:41] Yeah. And he does claim that these rallies that he's doing are helping to turn the tide for these [31:45] embattled Republican candidates. I mean, he's traveling nonstop. He's out there blitzing these [31:49] GOP strongholds, these seats that would have been considered safe, states that he won, but now where [31:54] Republicans are playing defense. But, you know, I keep thinking back to some of the voters in your piece [32:00] this morning and the unease that comes across. And I think there's a real challenge because the [32:05] president, while he's getting out there and amping up the base, is he able to reach those voters [32:10] that are feeling uncertain? And so many of these candidates are now having to walk that fine line [32:15] between trying not to alienate the president and his supporters, but also to reach those who are [32:19] concerned about the price of chicken, the rising price of gas, who we know have the cost of living so [32:23] front and center in their mind. And it really matters to voters. [32:25] And it really does. And you heard that Republican who you spoke to in Alaska who said he didn't know [32:29] if the president's visit actually helped. But I will say this, you know, the president, [32:33] while he is expressing confidence, he's also starting to lay the groundwork a little bit. [32:37] And I keep thinking back to something he said this week where he said, quote, [32:40] I've won my election. I'm here whether we win this or not. [32:43] Exactly. And Dan, when you look at him trying to appeal to the base, is that really, [32:49] when you look at it, the only way they have a chance? [32:52] I mean, I think some of this is built on decisions that were made months ago. [32:57] You pick candidates, you endorse candidates, and then as it plays out and all the numbers [33:01] are going in the wrong direction, it's too late now to really change course significantly. [33:06] Ramesh, let's talk about this Russia deal. When you look at that again, you heard Chris [33:12] Wright say it's complicated, it's complicated, it's not what you think, despite all the criticism [33:17] he's getting. As our friend Susan Glasser from The New Yorker said, Trump's October surprise is a pivot [33:24] to Putin. You know, the thing about it is the one concrete thing the administration has done, [33:31] attempting to bring prices down, but it's pathetically small. It's not going to deliver [33:36] the kinds of results for prices or for the election that Republicans need. [33:42] Certainly not before the election. Those 300,000 tons are... [33:45] But at the same time, it angers our allies. It's strategically and I think morally obtuse, [33:51] and it just highlights the administration having the wrong priorities. [33:57] Donna, what was your reaction to what the president did this weekend and those sanctions? [34:02] It reeks of desperation. At a time when our allies in Europe are trying to basically hang in there to [34:10] help the Ukrainian people, what is Donald Trump doing? Giving Mr. Putin a lifeline. Probably because [34:17] Mr. Putin called him and was chummy-chummy and nicey-nice and Mr. Zelensky is not so nice. But the bottom [34:23] line is he's alienating our allies. It's not going to help lower prices, diesel prices in the short term. [34:30] I don't even think it'll happen in the long term. He has to end the war in Iran and get the straight [34:35] reopen. And Dan, one big advantage, speaking of price or money or anything else, is Republicans [34:42] have the money. Elon Musk gave 158 million to the Republican Senate funding group. That went towards [34:49] Ken Paxton in Texas. In total, Musk has given 276 million in support for Republicans this cycle. [34:57] Talk about the importance of that money, where that goes, what that does, what it means. [35:03] Yeah, I think as we look at this money, it's a jaw-dropping sum, first of all. And second of all, [35:10] how it resonates, where you spend it. I think many of us have been watching football [35:16] games and other things where we're watching a game that we're seeing local commercials for an entirely [35:23] different state. And that's because there's so much money. The voters say they're absolutely [35:27] inundated by ads. Yeah. But they're kind of tuning them out in some ways. [35:31] I mean, I think at this point, a lot of voters can kind of see the playbook a bit. [35:36] This is years and years of discussion, years and years of Trump politics. We're [35:44] potentially at the end of an era, one way or the other, within a couple of years. [35:48] And this kind of looks like a significant sea change coming very shortly. [35:52] If you're worried about the price of chicken, campaign spending is not going to overcome that. [35:55] At all. Absolutely not. Mary, whether he says [36:01] the confidence in the president, we've heard him. But he's also, as you sort of alluded to, [36:08] saying, if they lose, if it is this giant blue wave, he's already figuring out who to blame, [36:15] saying it. It's Karl Rove. It's whoever he can turn the blame. It's Ken Paxton's fault, [36:22] setting up for that. You've seen that. Yeah. Look, if the elections don't go his way, [36:27] he's going to want someone to blame. And I think that's true of any president. So I don't think it's [36:31] surprising that you're starting to get inklings of what that finger pointing is going to look like. [36:35] I think there is a real sense of unease in the West Wing right now. We saw a lot of speculation this week [36:40] about his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, his incredibly devoted chief of staff. The president says she's not [36:46] eyeing the exits, that she's going to be there till the end. But I think it would be foolish to think [36:50] there aren't changes that are going to be coming. And I do think you have to remember, you know, [36:54] what this could look like if Democrats do win big in November. I mean, this administration [36:59] could be facing a huge amount of oversight, investigations that could be quite grueling [37:05] and fierce. And imagining what a lame duck Donald Trump presidency could look like. I don't think [37:11] we've ever seen anything like that before. Not to mention the underlying challenge that is driving [37:17] up all of these costs. The war in Iran, there still is no way out of that. There is no clear path [37:23] forward. And while the president insists that this is going to end and prices will come down [37:26] shortly after the midterms. And saying the same things over and over, right? Yeah. [37:29] It's not clear how. And then it's still going to be a huge challenge. [37:31] He's promising every state a little bit of candy. It's like he's already opening up the trick-or-treat [37:38] bag. In Kentucky the other day, he said, hey, I'll give you the DOD will give you another drug [37:44] manufacturing. He's promising five thousand dollars to voters. If they vote the right way. If they vote [37:49] the right way. So they don't have anything to campaign on. That's the problem, because the big, [37:54] beautiful bill is not selling. And Ramesh, I want to ask you about this lawsuit. We just saw that [37:59] report from Pierre Thomas about this lawsuit in California for possibly election officials who [38:06] they claim are might be letting noncitizens in. What is this about? Well, look, a two day deadline [38:13] before they file a lawsuit to say you've got to verify 20,000 voters or agree to sequester these votes. [38:20] I mean, the two day deadline does not smack of good faith. And the administration has a track record and [38:25] President Trump has a track record of baseless claims about elections and setting up excuses for when [38:30] Republicans don't do well in elections. I'm prepared to believe that California is not following best [38:35] practices. But we have to look at the context of this administration's track record. Dan, I want to ask you [38:41] something that happened this week. It began with Pete Hegseth and something you've covered for sure that they [38:46] will put to death Abdul Hassan in for the Fort Hood massacre by firing squad. A horrific crime. But Pete [38:55] Hegseth said it would be live streamed. President Trump has come out and said, no, it will not. How did that [39:01] happen? Yeah, I think that getting walked back was striking. And the pushback was striking, not just from [39:10] from places you expect to hear pushback to the Secretary Hegseth at the Pentagon, but [39:18] retired generals, many Republicans. And I think that some of the survivors. Yeah. And I think that speaks to an issue [39:27] where a lot of Americans said this. How do we want to look? How do we think about ourselves? The polling on that would suggest [39:34] eight out of 10 Americans were against the live stream. I think even President Trump could read those numbers and say, this is not [39:40] something we need to do. Although in the beginning, he appeared to sort of side with Pete Hegseth, but put [39:46] off that decision for now. Thanks all of you. 16 days and counting. That's all that's left. And we'll follow [39:54] it every step of the way. Before we go this Sunday, a look at the remarkable scene playing out overseas in [40:00] France. Anger there over the cost of living. Tens of thousands taking to the streets. Marcus Moore reports from [40:07] Paris. Hundreds of thousands taking to the streets across France this week. A protest that started with [40:15] high school students now spiraling to more general concerns about the cost of living and France's future. [40:21] Saturday, the most violent day with hundreds of demonstrators and police officers injured. [40:26] Police clashing with protesters using tear gas and stun grenades. President Emmanuel Macron defending the right [40:32] to protest and calling for calm but saying vandals and looters will be punished. All the while calls for [40:39] change are growing louder. Do you feel like you are making a difference? We are making a difference [40:45] because we are a large group of people. We're like so many in the streets and so the government can't [40:51] say that they don't see us because we are here. Our thanks to Marcus Moore. That's all for us today. Thanks for [40:58] sharing part of your Sunday with us. Check out world news tonight and have a great day.