US losing influence as Trump health fears explode

The David Pakman Show - September 2, 2025

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The United States is experiencing a noticeable decline in global power under Donald Trump. While he has focused on cozying up to authoritarian leaders and imposing tariffs on allies, other countries are forming alliances independent of U.S. influence. At the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, leaders from China, Russia, and India signaled cooperation without the U.S., while China advances alternative global financial and technological systems.

U.S. financial markets reacted sharply to a federal appeals court ruling that most of Trump’s global tariffs are unconstitutional. The court determined that only Congress can impose such sweeping tariffs, raising the possibility that hundreds of billions of dollars may need to be refunded. Treasury yields spiked, increasing borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. The tariffs, paid by American companies and consumers, have added volatility to the markets.

Concerns have emerged over Trump’s recent absence from public view. For six days, he made no public appearances, and when he resurfaced, press access was heavily restricted. Photos appeared outdated or possibly touched up. The White House’s limited transparency has only amplified uncertainty.

During his absence, Trump’s social media posts showed a measured tone and full sentences, contrasting sharply with his usual style. This has led to speculation that someone else may have managed his posts. The administration has provided no explanation.

An unusual incident at the White House involved multiple large, opaque bags being thrown out of a window. The contents are unknown, with theories ranging from construction debris to medical or personal waste. The disposal method is highly irregular given strict White House protocols.

Trump also faces a dilemma over COVID-19 vaccines. While he once celebrated Operation Warp Speed as a major achievement, anti-vaccine policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have created conflict. Defending the vaccines risks alienating anti-vax supporters, while criticizing them undermines a signature accomplishment. The resulting chaos in federal agencies reflects the destabilizing effect of extreme polarization on governance.

On today’s bonus show:

Donald Trump is awarding Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom shortly after Giuliani’s serious car accident. A poll shows just 25% of Americans feel they have a good chance of improving their standard of living, with younger generations particularly pessimistic. And in Oklahoma, teachers from California and New York will now have to pass a 34-question “America First” test from PragerU.

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