The Wall Street Journal editorial board warned on Sunday that former President Donald Trump’s recent behavior may be putting his presidency “at risk,” citing a pattern of self-inflicted political damage.
“When things are going his way, Trump has an uncanny knack for sabotaging his own momentum,” wrote the conservative-leaning board of the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper. “He can’t seem to resist handing his opponents a sword.”
The Journal pointed to Trump’s recent attacks on Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) as a prime example. Tillis publicly criticized Trump’s much-touted “Big Beautiful Bill,” which is currently under debate in the Senate. Trump fired back, prompting Tillis to announce Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2026.
Tillis said the decision was easy, citing frustration with “partisan gridlock” and a desire to spend more time with family. But his retirement, the Journal noted, could give Democrats a crucial opportunity to flip another Senate seat.
“If Democrats take the House in 2026, GOP legislative reforms will be dead on arrival,” the editorial warned. “And if they also take the Senate, forget about confirming another Supreme Court justice. The Trump presidency will be dead in the water.”
The Journal has been increasingly critical of Trump since his return to the White House, cautioning that internal party feuds and reckless political missteps could undercut the GOP’s broader agenda — and Trump’s own grip on power.
