NY Times Says Trump Doesn’t Care?

President Donald Trump is once again drawing sharp criticism from the media after making it clear that election security—not a bipartisan housing package—is his top legislative priority.

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman argued during a CNN appearance Wednesday that Trump’s latest actions suggest he is no longer concerned about the political fallout from his decisions. Her comments came after the president postponed plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill, insisting Congress first pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act.

The legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot. Trump has repeatedly described the measure as his administration’s top priority, saying protecting the integrity of American elections is essential.

Haberman Questions Trump’s Priorities

Speaking with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, Haberman suggested Trump is placing too little emphasis on economic issues that many voters continue to rank among their biggest concerns.

Haberman argued that the housing measure was intended to address affordability concerns, but said Trump showed little interest in moving it forward. She questioned whether the president is demonstrating concern over the issue, adding that while that could change in the future, she does not believe it is evident now.

Haberman also questioned whether Trump believes there will be any political consequences for focusing so heavily on election legislation while housing affordability and inflation remain major concerns for many Americans.

New Book Claims Trump Is Trusting His Instincts

Haberman appeared alongside fellow New York Times reporter Jonathan Swan to discuss their upcoming book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.

According to the authors, Trump is relying far less on public polling than he did during his first administration. Instead, they argue, he is making decisions based largely on his own political instincts.

Collins asked whether that approach could create challenges for Republicans during the upcoming midterm elections.

Haberman responded that Trump’s leadership style remains consistent with what many inside the White House experienced during his first term, but she believes he is now even more confident in following his instincts rather than outside advice.

Polling Report Focused on Affordability

Haberman also said she reviewed an internal White House polling memo from December that reportedly advised Republicans to directly address Americans’ concerns over affordability if they hoped to perform well in future elections.

According to her account, the memo argued that rising prices and the cost of living remain among voters’ highest priorities.

Haberman contrasted those findings with Trump’s public comments around the same time, saying the president dismissed much of the affordability criticism as politically driven attacks from Democrats.

Trump Keeps Pressure on Senate Republicans

Despite criticism from political opponents and many media outlets, Trump has shown no signs of backing away from the SAVE America Act.

The bill passed the House but has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats have opposed the legislation.

Trump has described its passage as a “national emergency” and has repeatedly urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to find a path forward. He has even encouraged Senate Republicans to consider changing Senate rules to advance the legislation, though Thune has rejected eliminating the filibuster.

Supporters argue the SAVE America Act would strengthen confidence in U.S. elections by ensuring only American citizens are able to register to vote. Opponents contend the measure could make voter registration more difficult for some eligible voters.

Republican Frustrations Continue

The debate over the SAVE America Act has also exposed disagreements within the Republican conference.

Some GOP senators have reportedly grown frustrated after several unsuccessful Senate votes on the legislation. At the same time, other disagreements—including questions surrounding the administration’s policy toward Iran—have added to tensions behind closed doors.

Even so, Trump has continued urging congressional Republicans to keep election security at the top of their agenda.

With the midterm elections approaching, the outcome of the SAVE America Act could become one of the defining legislative battles of the year. Whether voters ultimately reward Trump’s focus on election integrity or place greater emphasis on economic issues remains one of the biggest political questions heading into the campaign season.