Editorial Board

Trump Is Losing the Shutdown Argument

In his televised address last night, he didn’t even try to defend his tactics.

January 9, 2019 at 1:00 PM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

Is anybody buying it?
Photographer: Carlos Barria/Pool via Bloomberg/Getty Images

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This article is part of the January 14, 2019 issue of businessweek.

Last night’s presidential address and the response from the Democratic Party’s leaders in Congress offered little prospect that the stand-off over President Trump’s wall will be quickly resolved. As yet, neither side looks ready to back down or seek compromise. For this to change, public opinion may need to shift.

Encouragingly, last night’s exchange suggests it soon might — against Trump.