Charlie Sykes & Molly Jong-Fast have a conversation centered on whether Donald Trump’s influence is fading after a slate of Trump-endorsed candidates lose in 2026 primaries, and why Republicans still fear him despite that diminished “magic touch.” Sykes argues that while endorsements may no longer guarantee victory, the GOP remains thoroughly “Trump” with no real anti-Trump candidates, meaning Republicans have tied themselves to Trump’s conduct and rhetoric heading into the midterms. They discuss how Trump retreats from endorsing likely losers (including scandal-plagued Corey Mills), how allegations of abuse and ethical issues play differently in certain races, and how Trump’s own legal and personal controversies have failed to prompt meaningful Republican pushback. The exchange also explores polling showing erosion among Trump’s most fervent supporters, possible voter fatigue after years of Trumpism, and Democratic primary dynamics—warning that some left insurgencies may prioritize ideology over electability—before closing with concerns about midterm and 2028 stakes, ticket-splitting risks in key states, and how even a narrow Senate margin could shape the courts and the next decade. Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328