The Opinions Trump’s True Deal-Making Abilities, Revealed
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Apr 25, 2026 
Carlos Lozada, NYT book critic who dissects political narratives, and E.J. Dionne Jr., longtime political columnist, trade sharp takes on Trump’s purported deal‑making and the limits of his foreign and domestic strategy. They also debate Virginia’s move toward a popular‑vote compact and the political stakes of campaign and presidential memoirs.
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Dealmaker Myth Meets Foreign Policy Reality
- Trump's dealmaker image is unraveling as complex foreign crises expose his lack of attention to detail and substantive expertise.
- E.J. Dionne contrasts Obama's Iran team with Trump's delegation of a real estate businessman, his son-in-law, and the vice president, showing a thin advisory bench.
War Treated Like A Construction Schedule
- Trump treats war like a project with timelines, using phrases like "ahead of schedule" to manage perception rather than strategy.
- Carlos Lozada notes a schedule implies a plan and end date, but wars don't conform and opponents proved more capable than expected.
Gerrymander Reform Wins But Reveals Voter Unease
- Virginia's close approval to redraw congressional maps shows voters split on anti-gerrymandering reforms even where Democrats recently won.
- E.J. Dionne points out independents were uneasy and Republican ads quoting Democrats muddied the campaign.
