The Economist/You Gov did a poll form September 11-14. The link to the top line results is here: econtoplines_Vglw52E.pdf.

I’m going to direct you to some key findings:

Q #22: Do you think Donald Trump is honest and trustworthy, or not? A: only 31% say “trustworthy, 58% say “not”

Q #23: How much how much do you think Donald Trump cares about the needs and problems of people like you? A: 38% say “a lot” (21%) or “some” (17%), 60% say “not much” (11%) or “doesn’t care at all” (49%)

Q #25: Regardless of whether you agree with him, do you like or dislike Donald Trump as a person? 31% say “like a lot” (17%) or “like somewhat” (14%) , 57% say “dislike somewhat” (9%) or dislike a lot” (46%)

Q #27: Which of these words would you [use/NOT use] to describe Donald Trump? Check all that apply. A: The highest words people would use are, “Corrupt” - 53%, “Dangerous” - 51%, “Out of Touch” - 47% and “Cruel” - 46%. The lowest words people would use are, “Steady” - 18%, “Inspiring” - 19%, “Honest” - 23%, “Effective” - 33%, and “Intelligent” - 35%

While the surprising aspect of this poll is that more people don’t like or trust Trump (a combo of the MAGA cult and ignorant (low-information) voters, the top line is that people really don’t like or trust Trump and absolutely think he is corrupt and dangerous.

Now, let’s look at some specific corrupt acts from Trump and his Admin:

Emoluments 101. Trump is holding the G20 conference (and has invited his buddy - and cohort in corruption - Valdimir Putin) at his Doral Golf Club. He will personally rake in large sums of money from the event (unlike in 2017 when he wanted to hold the G7 summit there but caved when he got pushback from both Dems and Repubs about the illegality of doing so). Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution (The Foreign Emoluments Clause) states, “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” Also, Article 2, Section 1, Clause 7 states, “The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.”

Propaganda Ads. Trump has used taxpayer funds to run propaganda ads featuring him when he is not even on the ballot. 5 U.S.C. § 3107 states “Appropriated funds may not be used to pay a publicity expert unless specifically appropriated for that purpose.” Also, Section 718 of Public Law 118-47 (2024) states, “No part of any appropriation contained in this or any other Act shall be used directly or indirectly, including by private contractor, for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States not heretofore authorized by Congress.”

Spending rescission. Trump and his crony-in-crime Russell Vought at OMB have decided once again to use “pocket rescission” to not spend nearly $1 billion authorized by Congress. This usurps Congress’ sole authority in the constitution regarding spending. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined pocket rescissions are unconstitutional and illegal.

Inducing Votes with Money. On September 9, 2026 at the Republican's’ mid-term convention, Trump said, "If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000." 18 U.S.C. § 597 states, “Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate;… Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”

Of course, there’s so much more - Trump raking in billions on crypto ventures where everyone else loses basically their entire investment, emoluments like the Qatar jumbo jet, ignoring court decisions, negotiating back room deals with Russia to enrich his family and his cronies while throwing Ukraine under the bus, starting an illegal war with Iran.

The list is seemingly endless.

The long-winded point I’m among here is a) the vast majority of voters think Trump is corrupt and out-of-touch, and b) there are a myriad of specific actions and stories to tell by candidates about his corruption and how it relates to their discontent and their daily struggles.

This is the focus for every democratic candidate running for federal office (and even most of those running for state legislature and other state positions). Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously said “All politics is local”. He’s correct in the sensed that people tend to vote on what they perceive directly impacts them. But in today’s hyper-connected world, I’d amend O’Neill’s view to “all politics can be made local”.

It’s the Corruption, Stupid.

On another note, Olvier Willis has been on a tear trying to get candidates to also run against Elon Musk and the money he is spending to elect Republicans.

Musk is as unpopular as Trump. He is a white supremacist, racist, con man. He is worth a trillion dollars. He spent over $250 million to get Trump elected in 2024. He is spending huge again in this cycle.

Use Musk and Trump as foils. Connect Republicans to both of them and make them play defense. Here’s a great example (again, courtesy of Oliver Wllis):

I’m with Willis. This is the Way.