(https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-57x57.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-57x57.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-72x72.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-76x76.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-114x114.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-120x120.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-144x144.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-152x152.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-180x180.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-192x192.png)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/res/images/icons/icon-512x512.png)    Trump Says: ‘Pretend I’m on the Ballot.’ Democrats Comply | World News     (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799-amp.html)  (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2026/10/21/960x540/im-94434517_1792559059633_Mn7W_1792559071965_s49w_df64441d-1611-4111-9cdd-d11a05de589f_Ywqn.jpg)                                 (../favicon.ico)  (../static-content/1y/manifest.json)  (https://images.hindustantimes.com)  (https://www.hindustantimes.com)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net)  (https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/)  (https://dap.hindustantimes.com)  (https://api.hindustantimes.com)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com)  (https://www.googletagservices.com)  (https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/)  (https://adservice.google.com)  (https://www.google.com/)  (https://adservice.google.co.in/)  (https://www.google.co.in/)  (https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net)  (https://clients.bidcliq.com)  (https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/)  (https://gum.criteo.com/)  (https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/)  (https://idx.liadm.com/)  (https://id.crwdcntrl.net/)  (https://lexicon.33across.com/)  (https://secure.cdn.fastclick.net/)  (https://www.google-analytics.com/)  (https://static.chartbeat.com/)  (https://sb.scorecardresearch.com)  (https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com)  (https://secure.adnxs.com)  (https://id.a-mx.com)  (https://cdn.taboola.com)  (https://ping.chartbeat.net)     (Comscore tracker)  (Comscore tracker LH)  (Comscore tracker HT Auto)  (Comscore tracker Healthshots)               (https://www.hindustantimes.com/search)   Wed, Oct 21, 2026 New Delhi 0 o C     (https://www.hindustantimes.com)   (Hindustan Times News)      (epaper) (epaper) (epaper)  E-Paper (https://accounts.hindustantimes.com/ht/userplan?funnel_entry=top_header&type=plain&ref=ht&cta=top_header) Subscribe   (Sign In) (Sign In)     (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html#) Subscribe Enjoy unlimited access Subscribe Now! Get features like (Ad lite experience)   Ad lite A Minimal Ad Experience  (Premium articles)   HT Premium Articles Expertly crafted articles  (Quick read)   Quickreads Segment News brief in summary format  (E-paper)   HT E-paper Access digital news experience   (Subscription features)   (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html#) Subscribe Now                  (https://accounts.hindustantimes.com/ht/manage_profile) Edit Profile   (https://accounts.hindustantimes.com/ht/userplan?funnel_entry=my_account&type=plain&ref=ht&cta=my_account) (crown)   Subscribe Now   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/saved) Saved Articles   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/personalized-content-listing) Following   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/myreads) My Reads   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/logout/logout.html) Sign out      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/s/deeplink?targetUrl=https://www.hindustantimes.com&utm_source=HTwebAMP&utm_campaign=HT_Masthead_download&utm_medium=HTwebAMP&redirectToBrowser=false&skipPreviewPageIOS=false&appPrefix=ht) (Get App) Get App   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/) Home   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/htls/hindustan-times-leadership-summit-2025) HTLS 2025   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology) Astrology   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news) India News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle) Lifestyle   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment) Entertainment   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections) Elections   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending) Trending   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) HT Cricket  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos) Videos   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education) Education   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos) Photos   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports) Sports   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities) Cities   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/daily-digest) Daily Digest   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/quick-read) Quickreads   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion) Opinion   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis) Analysis   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-articles-for-you) For You   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/personalized-content-listing) Following   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports) Sports   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/science) Science   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/ht-government) HT Government   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) HT Games   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/product-hub) Product Hub   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/podcasts) Podcasts   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla) Bangla News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu) Telugu News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/weather) Weather   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-exclusive) HT Premium   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology) Technology   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/genesis) Genesis    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) Cricket    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/live-score) Live Cricket Score   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/players) Cricket Players   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/icc-rankings) ICC Rankings   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/schedule) Cricket Schedule      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news) World News    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news) US News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/nri) NRI   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/us-streamers) US Streamers   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/us-sports) US Sports      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities) Cities    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news) Delhi   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news) Mumbai   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news) Bengaluru   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news) Gurugram   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news) Noida   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/hyderabad) Hyderabad   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/chennai) Chennai   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news) Kolkata   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bhopal-news) Bhopal   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news) Chandigarh   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news) Dehradun   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/indore-news) Indore   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news) Jaipur   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news) Lucknow   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news) Patna   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news) Pune   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/ranchi-news) Ranchi   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others) Other Cities      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business) HT Business    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/income-tax-calculator) Income Tax Calculator   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/fuel-prices/petrol) Petrol Prices   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/fuel-prices/diesel) Diesel Prices   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/gold-prices) Gold Rate   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/silver-prices) Silver Rate   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/smart-money) Smart Money      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle) Lifestyle    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fitness) Fitness   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion) Fashion   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health) Health   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/relationships) Relationships   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture) Art and Culture   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel) Travel   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe) Recipes   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals) Festivals   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/food) Food   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/pet) Pet   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/brunch) Brunch      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment) Entertainment    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood) Bollywood   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv) TV    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series) Web Series   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music) Music   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood) Hollywood   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema) Telugu Cinema   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema) Tamil Cinema   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/anime) Anime      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education) Education News    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/engineering) Engineering Exams   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams) Board Exams   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/study-abroad) Study Abroad   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/jee-advanced) JEE   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/exam-results) Exam Results   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions) Admission News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/employment-news) Employment News   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams) Competitive Exams   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions/colleges/bba-colleges-in-india) BBA Colleges   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions/colleges/engineering-colleges-in-india) Engineering Colleges   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions/colleges/medical-colleges-in-india) Medical Colleges   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions/colleges/bca-colleges-in-india) BCA Colleges   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/bba) BBA Exams   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/bca) BCA Exams   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams/medical) Medical Exams      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology) Astrology    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope) Horoscope   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope-2026) Horoscope 2026   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/love-horoscope) Love Horoscope   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/tarot) Tarot   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/chinese) Chinese   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/panchang-shubh-muhurat) Panchang   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/festival-calendar) Festival Calendar   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/compatibility-calculator) Compatibility Calculator   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/career-horoscope) Career Horoscope   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/manifestation) Manifestation   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/transits) Transits      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-exclusive) HT Premium    (https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/) E-Paper   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/theeconomist) The Economist Articles   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/wsj) The Wall Street Journal   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insider) HT Insider   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight) HT Insight      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections) Assembly Elections: Latest News    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/west-bengal) West Bengal   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/tamil-nadu) Tamil Nadu   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/assam) Assam   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/kerala) Kerala   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/puducherry) Puducherry   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/upcoming-elections-in-india) Election Schedule   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/bihar) Bihar   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/delhi) Delhi   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/maharashtra) Maharashtra   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/haryana) Haryana   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/assembly-election/jammu-and-kashmir) J&K      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos) Videos    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/india-news) india news   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/infocus) infocus   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/ht-insight) HT Insight   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/explainer-video) Explainer Video   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/on-the-record) On The Record   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/ht-weekend) HT Weekend   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/aurbatao) Aur Batao   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/vikram-chandra-daily-wrap) Vikram Chandra Daily Wrap      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos) Photos    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/entertainment) Entertainment Photos   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/lifestyle) Lifestyle Photos   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news) News Photos      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight) HT Insight    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/public-health) Public Health   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/economy) Economic Policy   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/international-affairs) International Affairs   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/climate-change) Climate Change   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/gender-equality) Gender Equality    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/knowledge) knowledge   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/future-tech) future tech   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/governance) Governance      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brand-stories) HT INITIATIVES    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/genesis) Genesis   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/roche/) Diabetes Management Journey   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/grand-travel-mela/) Travel Mela   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/MyDNA/) Genetic Blueprint   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/prosperity-tales/) Prosperity Tales   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/switzerland-tourism/) Zurich Playbook   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/tally-msme-honours-2025/) MSME Honours   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/the-safest-lap-fortis-la-femme/) Safest Lap   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/unleash-your-career-with-expertrons/) Unleash yourCareer   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/voltas-beko-factory-of-happiness/) Factory of Happiness      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate) Real Estate    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/brandstories/IndiaNext/?123) INDIA NEXT REAL ESTATE EXPO   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate/digital-real-estate-marketplace) Digital Real Estate   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate/real-estate-guide) Real Estate Guide      (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html) MORE FROM HT    (https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/) HT Epaper   (https://www.livemint.com/) LiveMint   (https://www.livehindustan.com/) Live Hindustan   (https://auto.hindustantimes.com/) Auto   (https://tech.hindustantimes.com/) HT Tech      (https://www.hindustantimes.com/subscribe-newsletter) HT Newsletters   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/weather) Weather Today   (https://www.htmedia.in/hindustantimes-com) About Us   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/contact-us) Contact Us   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/privacy-policy) Privacy Policy   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/termsofuse) Terms of Use   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/rate-card) Print Ad Rates   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/dnpa-code-of-ethics-for-digital-news-websites) Code of Ethics   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sitemap) Sitemap   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/rss) RSS Feeds   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/subscriber-agreement-and-terms-of-use) Subscription - Terms of Use   Privacy and Cookie Settings    Copyright © HT Digital Streams Ltd. All rights reserved.  FOLLOW US (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fworld-news%2Ftrump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html) (Facebook) (Facebook)   (https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html&title=Hindustan%20Times) (Twitter) (Twitter)   (https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text="Trump%20Says%3A%20%E2%80%98Pretend%20I%E2%80%99m%20on%20the%20Ballot.%E2%80%99%20Democrats%20Comply - https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html'%0a%0a%0aFor news on the go, download HT app. Click https://www.hindustantimes.com/s/deeplink?targetUrl=https://www.hindustantimes.com&utm_source=open_App_story&utm_campaign=open_app&utm_medium=msite&redirectToBrowser=false&skipPreviewPageIOS=false&appPrefix=ht'") (WhatsApp) (WhatsApp)   (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html) (LinkedIn) (LinkedIn)     Sign in                (https://www.hindustantimes.com) Home  E-Paper  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) Cricket  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news) India News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment) Entertainment  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news) World News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle) Lifestyle  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cjp-news-live-updates-protest-saurav-das-ashutosh-ranka-delhi-hc-hearing-judicial-custody-dipke-anti-cec-protests-police-101792551147107.html) CJP News LIVE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/marco-rubio-india-visit-live-updates-jamnagar-reliance-refinery-energy-security-trade-deal-gujarat-jaishankar-modi-trump-101792549620106.html) Marco Rubio India Visit LIVE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending) Trending  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities) Cities  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology) Astrology  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity) HTCity  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/nri) NRI  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-exclusive) HT Premium  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news) US News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-the-next-voice) HT The Next Voice  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) Games  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla) HT Bangla  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu) HT Telugu  (https://tech.hindustantimes.com/ht-tech-power-list-awards-2026/vote-now) (HT Tech in L1) (HT Tech)    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business) Business  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate) Real Estate  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/latest-news) Latest News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education) Education  (https://www.livemint.com) Livemint  (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html#) + 20more (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/marco-rubio-india-visit-live-updates-jamnagar-reliance-refinery-energy-security-trade-deal-gujarat-jaishankar-modi-trump-101792549620106.html) Marco Rubio India Visit LIVE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending) Trending  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities) Cities  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology) Astrology  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity) HTCity  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/nri) NRI  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-exclusive) HT Premium  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news) US News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-the-next-voice) HT The Next Voice  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) Games  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla) HT Bangla  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu) HT Telugu  (https://tech.hindustantimes.com/ht-tech-power-list-awards-2026/vote-now) HT Tech  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business) Business  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/real-estate) Real Estate  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/latest-news) Latest News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education) Education  (https://www.livemint.com) Livemint     (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports) Sports  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-explainers) SimplyPut  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news) Delhi News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news) Bengaluru News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news) Mumbai News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology) Technology  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/samsung-galaxy-watch-9-review-a-brilliant-smartwatch-that-proves-being-better-isnt-always-exciting-101791747248470.html) Galaxy Watch 9 review  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/quick-read) Quickreads  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/daily-digest) Daily Digest  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/personalized-content-listing) Following  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos) Photos  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) Games  (trump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html#) + 4more (https://www.hindustantimes.com/daily-digest) Daily Digest  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/personalized-content-listing) Following  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos) Photos  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) Games          Trump Says: ‘Pretend I’m on the Ballot.’ Democrats Comply Americans are worried about affordability, so the president pushes . . . a renovated golf course? Published on: Oct 21, 2026, 10:34:49 IST    (wsj-logo)   WSJ       (Prefer HT)  (Prefer HT)   Prefer HT on Google     (share) (Share)   Share via (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fs%2Fdeeplink%3FtargetUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.hindustantimes.com%252Fworld-news%252Ftrump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html%26utm_source%3DFB%26utm_campaign%3Darticle_share%26utm_medium%3Dweb2app%26redirectToBrowser%3Dfalse%26skipPreviewPageIOS%3Dfalse%26appPrefix%3Dht) (facebook) (facebook)    (https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fs%2Fdeeplink%3FtargetUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.hindustantimes.com%252Fworld-news%252Ftrump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html%26utm_source%3DX%26utm_campaign%3Darticle_share%26utm_medium%3Dweb2app%26redirectToBrowser%3Dfalse%26skipPreviewPageIOS%3Dfalse%26appPrefix%3Dht&title=Trump%20Says%3A%20%E2%80%98Pretend%20I%E2%80%99m%20on%20the%20Ballot.%E2%80%99%20Democrats%20Comply) (twitter) (twitter)    (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Fs%2Fdeeplink%3FtargetUrl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.hindustantimes.com%252Fworld-news%252Ftrump-says-pretend-i-m-on-the-ballot-democrats-comply-101792559055799.html%26utm_source%3DLinkedin%26utm_campaign%3Darticle_share%26utm_medium%3Dweb2app%26redirectToBrowser%3Dfalse%26skipPreviewPageIOS%3Dfalse%26appPrefix%3Dht) (linkedin) (linkedin)      Copy link (copy link) (copy link)           As an avid golfer and frequent traveler to the nation’s capital, I welcomed President Trump’s announcement Sunday that his administration will convert East Potomac Golf Links, a public course near the National Mall, into a championship-level venue for professional tournaments. As a voter, however, I wondered if the president had lost his cotton-picking mind. (President Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Park City, Kan., Oct. 19.)  (President Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Park City, Kan., Oct. 19.) (President Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Park City, Kan., Oct. 19.)    President Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Park City, Kan., Oct. 19.    A Fox News survey released four days before the Truth Social golf-course post put Mr. Trump’s job approval at a “record low 36%.” Three-fourths of respondents rated the economy negatively, more than half expected it to worsen next year, and two-thirds said the country is headed in the wrong direction. Less than three weeks until the midterm elections, “disapproval of the job Trump is doing has reached 77% on inflation, 70% on the economy, 69% on tariffs and 64% on foreign policy,” according to Fox. The president responded by sharing his plans—complete with mock-ups—to redesign a golf course? Whether Mr. Trump is clueless or shameless is something psychoanalysts can debate, but even MAGA die-hards and GOP allies in Congress have grown weary of his erratic behavior. Many Americans are hurting, and they include large chunks of Mr. Trump’s base, which re-elected him primarily to address cost-of-living concerns that worsened under President Biden. Has he noticed that buying a car is more expensive thanks to tariffs on imported vehicles, auto parts, steel and aluminum? Has he noticed that higher mortgage interest rates have made it more difficult for young people to purchase their first home? Has no one informed him that prices for food, gas and other necessities not only remain steep but continue to outpace earnings? What seems lost on the president surely isn’t lost on his voters, particularly those in farm country and rural areas who can connect the dots. Elevated energy costs are directly related to Russian aggression in Ukraine, which Mr. Trump repeatedly vowed to end within 24 hours of his inauguration, and to the war in Iran, which he started but so far lacks the determination to finish, while repeatedly claiming that we’ve already won. What voters have received from the administration instead of empathy is constant blame-shifting, repeated calls for more patience, and mindless vanity projects. We have a president preoccupied with building a White House ballroom, erecting a triumphal arch near the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery, and affixing his name to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Trump’s defense secretary announced the Pentagon would livestream a military execution by firing squad, and Mr. Trump initially endorsed the idea. Just for fun, the president posted a demented AI-generated video of himself mocking a mentally disturbed man who climbed into a tiger enclosure at a zoo and was mauled to death. Republican strategists tell me that midterm elections are all about turning out your fiercest supporters, and that despite the president’s bizarre behavior of late, he remains popular with the base. That’s true, but it’s also true that the president’s base has shrunk and the White House is worried. The proof is where Mr. Trump has spent his time campaigning. He’s gone to places like Wasilla, Alaska; Mahoning County, Ohio; and Mohave County, Ariz. He wasn’t there to woo independents and swing voters. These are heavily Republican areas, and his objective was to rally the MAGA faithful because the White House fears they’ll stay home on Election Day. Mr. Trump and his supporters dismiss negative polls as fake or unreliable, and pollsters haven’t helped themselves in recent elections with predictions that in some cases have been wildly off base. Whether the problem is driven by partisan leanings or an inability to get Trump voters to respond to surveys continues to be debated. But simply ignoring unfavorable results outright would be ill-advised. It likewise would be premature to count out Mr. Trump, whose victory in 2016 and comeback eight years later defied the expectations of many people in the media who follow politics for a living. Republicans this year enjoy a financial advantage and a favorable political map. Most of the races that will decide who controls the Senate are being fought in states that Mr. Trump carried in 2024. Still, the president’s approval rating is lower than Joe Biden’s in 2022 or Barack Obama’s in 2010, when Democrats lost 63 seats. It’s also lower than Mr. Trump’s rating in 2018, when his party dropped 40 seats and Democrats took control of the House. Oddly, Mr. Trump keeps asking people to “pretend that I’m on the ballot.” Democrats are already doing that. With respect to Republicans, Mr. President, be careful what you wish for.    Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.     (https://www.hindustantimes.com) Home / (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news) World News / Trump Says: ‘Pretend I’m On The Ballot.’ Democrats Comply   See Less                      (Hindustan Times News)   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/s/deeplink?targetUrl=https://www.hindustantimes.com&utm_source=HTwebAMP&utm_campaign=HT_Masthead_download&utm_medium=HTwebAMP&redirectToBrowser=false&skipPreviewPageIOS=false&appPrefix=ht) (web_button_svg)   (https://www.hindustantimes.com/s/deeplink?targetUrl=https://www.hindustantimes.com&utm_source=HTwebAMP&utm_campaign=HT_Masthead_download&utm_medium=HTwebAMP&redirectToBrowser=false&skipPreviewPageIOS=false&appPrefix=ht) (mweb_button_svg)     Subscribe to our best newsletters Daily News Capsule Daily News Capsule What's On My Mind HT Wknd HT Week Ahead Wired Wisdom HT City HT Mind the Gap HT Kick Off Fairways and Greens HT World   (Enter Email Address) ()  Sign Up to Subscribe     (https://www.facebook.com/hindustantimes) (fb-logo)    (https://www.linkedin.com/company/hindustantimes) (in-logo)    (https://www.instagram.com/hindustantimes/) (instagram)    (https://twitter.com/htTweets) (new-tw)       (https://www.hindustantimes.com/latest-news) LATEST NEWS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news) WORLD NEWS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news) INDIA NEWS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) CRICKET  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) Cricket  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/schedule) Cricket Match Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/live-score) Live Score  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities) CITY NEWS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news) Bengaluru News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bhopal-news) Bhopal News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news) Chandigarh News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news) Dehradun News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news) Delhi News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news) Gurugram News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/indore-news) Indore News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/jaipur-news) Jaipur News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news) Kolkata News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news) Lucknow News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news) Mumbai News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news) Noida News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news) Patna News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news) Pune News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/ranchi-news) Ranchi News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others) Other Cities  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment) ENTERTAINMENT  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood) Bollywood News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood) Hollywood News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music) Music News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema) Tamil Cinema News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema) Telugu Cinema News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv) TV News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series) Web series News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others) Entertainment Others  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology) ASTROLOGY  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope) Horoscope  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education) EDUCATION  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/admissions) Admission News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams) Board Exams  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/competitive-exams) Competitive Exams  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/employment-news) Employment News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/exam-results) Exam Results  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news) Education News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle) LIFESTYLE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture) Art and Culture  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/brunch) Brunch  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion) Fashion  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals) Festivals  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health) Health  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/recipe) Recipes  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/relationships) Relationship  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel) Travel  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/pet) Pet  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/web-stories) WEB STORIES  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending) TRENDING  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business) BUSINESS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos) PHOTOS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos) VIDEOS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/budget) BUDGET  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/environment) ENVIRONMENT  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/science) SCIENCE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion) OPINION  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials) EDITORIALS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/car-bike) CAR AND BIKE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology) TECHNOLOGY  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports) SPORTS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/badminton) Badminton  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football) Football  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/hockey) Hockey  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/tennis) Tennis  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others) Others  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/books) BOOKS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight) HT INSIGHT  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections) ELECTIONS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/upcoming-elections-in-india) Election Schedule  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/us-election) US Election  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/quickreads) QUICKREADS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/covid-19) COVID 19  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games) GAMES  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games/sudoku) Daily Sudoku  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games/commuter-crossword) Daily Crossword  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/games/daily-jumble) Daily Word Jumble  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/income-tax-calculator) INCOME TAX CALCULATOR  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending) TRENDING NEWS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cjp-news-live-updates-protest-saurav-das-ashutosh-ranka-delhi-hc-hearing-judicial-custody-dipke-anti-cec-protests-police-101792551147107.html) CJP LIVE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/marco-rubio-india-visit-live-updates-jamnagar-reliance-refinery-energy-security-trade-deal-gujarat-jaishankar-modi-trump-101792549620106.html) Marco Rubio India Visit LIVE  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/htt40-india-iaf-hindustan-aeronautics-limited-delivery-training-pilots-101792547232649.html) HAL  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/elon-musk-ordered-starlink-slowdown-ukraine-drones-disruption-zelensky-trump-administration-russia-war-report-101792544687121.html) Elon Musk  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/fashion/kate-middleton-wears-butter-yellow-elie-saab-dress-with-princess-diana-lovers-knot-tiara-to-attend-royal-banquet-with-prince-william-101792550360366.html) Kate Middleton  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-pollution-aqi-today-air-quality-poor-101792550112682.html) Delhi AQI  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/ranabaali-box-office-collection-day-5-vijay-deverakonda-and-rashmika-mandanna-period-film-shows-nearly-18-jump-on-1st-tuesday-crosses-37-crore-101792512650626.html) Ranabaali  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/jailer-2-box-office-collection-day-6-rajinikanth-sequel-crosses-290-crore-mark-surpasses-lifetime-haul-of-ram-charan-peddi-and-yash-toxic-101792503791251.html) Jailer 2  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-explainers/law-under-which-cjps-saurav-das-and-ashutosh-ranka-detained-in-tihar-jail-peace-bonds-sureties-and-preventive-custody-101792499700425.html) Saurav Das  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/faisal-malik-tells-audience-to-wait-and-watch-ramayana-part-2-hollywood-ranbir-kapoor-yash-nitesh-tiwari-namit-malhotra-101792486277561.html) Ramayana Part 2  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/with-rubio-in-india-trump-says-trade-dealpretty-close-suggests-it-could-be-much-different-kind-of-deal-101792549793172.html) Marco Rubio  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope/career-finance-horoscope-october-21-2026-a-new-idea-or-a-conversation-may-encourage-you-to-reconsider-your-professional-goals-today-101792422903582.html) Career & Finance Horoscope  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope/love-horoscope-today-for-october-21-2026-allow-yourself-to-be-vulnerable-without-rushing-the-pace-of-the-relationship-today-101792421921208.html) Love Horoscope Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope/numerology-horoscope-today-money-matters-could-move-forward-but-emotional-tensions-may-require-a-different-approach-101792406059253.html) Numerology Horoscope Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/astrology/horoscope/panchang-today-october-21-2026-shukla-dashami-under-dhanishta-nakshatra-101792430640027.html) Panchang Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic) TRENDING TOPICS  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket) Cricket  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/schedule) Cricket Match Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/hollywood) Hollywood News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla) Bangla News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood) Bollywood News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema) Telugu Cinema  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment) Entertainment News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu) Telugu News  (https://www.livehindustan.com/) Hindi News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/nri) NRI News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-explainers) HT Explainers  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bank-holidays-in-october-2026-full-list-of-public-festival-holidays-of-the-month-dussehra-diwali-october-calendar-india-101790779942375.html) October Bank Holiday    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news) LatestWorld News  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/wilber-perez-austin-ice-shooting-victim-indicted-on-federal-assault-charge-101792555252847.html) Wilber Perez, Austin ICE shooting victim, indicted on federal assault charge  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/outer-space-should-remain-realm-for-corporation-not-conflict-mp-sudha-murty-tells-unga-101792554246110.html) Outer space should remain realm for corporation, not conflict: MP Sudha Murty tells UNGA  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/in-1897-yosemite-began-stocking-fishless-lakes-with-trout-now-its-rare-frogs-are-rebounding-101792059322586.html) In 1897, Yosemite began stocking fishless lakes with trout; now its rare frogs are rebounding  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/brazil-love-affair-with-cellphones-turns-theft-into-an-election-flashpoint-101792553083723.html) Brazil’s love affair with cellphones turns theft into an election flashpoint  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/brazil-presidential-race-heats-up-as-lula-bolsonaro-seek-each-others-disqualification-over-social-media-row-101792552391997.html) Brazil presidential race heats up as Lula, Bolsonaro seek each other's disqualification over social media row  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/in-1969-panama-stocked-60-to-100-peacock-bass-for-sport-fishing-after-they-escaped-into-gatun-lake-60-of-native-fish-species-were-found-wiped-out-101791801504175.html) In 1969, Panama stocked 60 to 100 peacock bass for sport fishing; after they escaped into Gatun Lake, 60% of native fish species were found wiped out  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/india-opposes-attempts-to-portray-world-s-largest-democracy-negatively-using-unverified-allegations-at-un-101792552523864.html) India opposes attempts to portray world's largest democracy negatively using unverified allegations at UN  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/europes-dependence-on-america-in-space-is-hard-to-escape-101792552205363.html) Europe’s dependence on America in space is hard to escape  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/aipowered-personal-assistants-could-reshape-the-digital-economy-101792552041105.html) AI-powered personal assistants could reshape the digital economy  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/chinas-universities-are-rich-but-theyre-getting-squeezed-101792551833924.html) China’s universities are rich. But they're getting squeezed     Top LiveBlogs: (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cjp-news-live-updates-protest-saurav-das-ashutosh-ranka-delhi-hc-hearing-judicial-custody-dipke-anti-cec-protests-police-101792551147107.html) CJP news LIVE: Delhi HC likely to hear Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka's plea against judicial custody today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/marco-rubio-india-visit-live-updates-jamnagar-reliance-refinery-energy-security-trade-deal-gujarat-jaishankar-modi-trump-101792549620106.html) Marco Rubio India visit LIVE updates: Rubio to visit Jamnagar refinery today, trip to focus on global energy security  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ranji-trophy-live-score-second-round-day-four-latest-updates-scorecard-today-october-21-sarfaraz-khan-ruturaj-gaikwad-101792550314812.html) Ranji Trophy, Round 2, Day 4 LIVE Updates: Mumbai aim for big win, Karnataka locked in a potential thriller       (https://www.htmedia.in/hindustantimes-com) About Us  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/contact-us) Contact us  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/termsofuse) Terms of use  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/privacy-policy) Privacy policy  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/weather) Weather Today  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/subscribe-newsletter) HT Newsletters  (https://accounts.hindustantimes.com/ht/userplan?funnel_entry=Header) Subscription  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/rate-card) Print Ad Rates  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/dnpa-code-of-ethics-for-digital-news-websites) Code of Ethics  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/sitemap) Sitemap  (https://www.hindustantimes.com/rss) RSS Feeds    (https://www.livemint.com/) (mint-logo)    (https://www.livehindustan.com/) (HH-logo)    (https://lifestyle.livemint.com/) (mint-lounge)    (https://auto.hindustantimes.com/) (htauto-logo-v6-black)    (https://tech.hindustantimes.com/) (ht_tech_logo_white@2x)    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/bangla) (ht-bangla)    (https://www.healthshots.com/) (healthshots)    (https://www.ottplay.com/) (OTT-icon)    (https://www.slurrp.com/) (slurrp-icon)    (https://www.htsmartcast.com/) (smartcast-logo)    (https://kannada.hindustantimes.com/) (ht-kannada)    (https://tamil.hindustantimes.com/) (ht-tamil)    (https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu) (ht-telugu)    (https://marathi.hindustantimes.com/) (ht-marathi)    (https://www.fabplay.in/) (logo-fab-play)    (https://bit.ly/3YS1Qbq) (VCCircle_logo-white)    (https://bit.ly/46Rf1v7) (TechCircle_logo_white)    (https://bit.ly/3AyTYS3) (VCCEdge_logo_white)    (https://bit.ly/4fSChMO) (edge-insights-logo)    (https://www.shine.com/) (shineLogo)      © 2026 HindustanTimes