Washington, D.C., March 12, 2026 — Appearing on CNN’s The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, Nestpoint Managing Director John Thomas assessed the political risks facing President Trump as the administration navigates a new foreign conflict, while also weighing how Governor Gavin Newsom is using public visibility to shape an early 2028 narrative.
Asked about Trump’s weak approval numbers on the conflict, Thomas said the political challenge stems in part from tension inside the president’s own coalition. While much of Trump’s base remains loyal, he noted that a meaningful segment of Republican voters remains deeply skeptical of foreign intervention of any kind.
“Much of President Trump’s base doesn’t want any kind of foreign entanglements,” Thomas said. “The president was asking his base to trust him on this one — that it would be fast, that the U.S. would win, and then get back to an America First policy.”
Thomas argued that the administration’s larger political problem is one of message discipline. While foreign policy has dominated headlines, he said midterm voters remain primarily focused on affordability and other domestic economic pressures. In his view, the president’s task is not simply to defend the conflict, but to reconnect with the issues voters feel most directly.
“Foreign policy is a huge deal, but it’s not what midterm voters care about,” Thomas said, emphasizing that Trump performs best politically when he keeps the focus on costs, prices, and everyday economic concerns.
The conversation also turned to the Democratic Party’s current posture. Thomas acknowledged that opposition to Trump may be enough to generate short-term gains for Democrats, even in the absence of a more affirmative governing message. While he argued that Democrats have yet to offer a clear policy alternative, he conceded that running against the party in power may prove politically sufficient in the near term.
Later in the segment, Thomas discussed Gavin Newsom’s escalating public feud with Trump and the governor’s efforts to present a more personal image through his book tour. While dismissing Newsom as the strongest possible Democratic nominee, Thomas said the governor is benefiting politically from Trump’s attention and using that conflict to remain relevant in an increasingly early 2028 environment.
“This is a gift from the heavens for Gavin Newsom right now,” Thomas said. “The more the president talks about him, the more useful that is to Newsom politically.”
Thomas also noted that Newsom’s emphasis on personal vulnerability, particularly his relationship with his mother, is strategically useful as he attempts to broaden his appeal beyond the polished and privileged image that has long defined him. The challenge, Thomas suggested, will be whether voters ultimately see Newsom as relatable or as a product of the elite California political class.
The discussion underscored a broader political reality heading into the next cycle, that for both parties, message discipline and personal definition may matter just as much as policy. Thomas’s remarks reflect Nestpoint’s continued focus on the intersection of political strategy, voter behavior, and the narratives that shape electoral outcomes.
The interview aired on CNN' The Story Is with Elex Michaelson on March 12, 2026. You can watch it here.
About Nestpoint
Nestpoint, with a global footprint and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance, and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
