Media Buzz

Why Trump changes his tune after aides convince him to stick to a script as Republicans defect

When advisors persuade Trump to stay on message, he often veers off script. Recent GOP defections reveal rare signs of resistance.

By Howard Kurtz Fox News

Published June 5, 2026 3:00am EDT

Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google

close

Video

Trump calls CNN’s reporting ‘garbage’: ‘Let me finish’

President Donald Trump criticized CNN’s reporting while responding to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A very high-ranking Trump White House official once told me the key to the president's behavior.

It happens when his advisors talk him into something that he doesn't particularly want to do.

The next time he's around reporters, this person says, President Trump will blurt out what he really thinks.

He'll either walk it back, soften the language, create confusion or flatly contradict what he said a couple of days before. It's his way of rebelling against being handled.

And, of course, he'll lash out at Republicans who disagree with him, post insulting messages, or endorse their primary opponents.

To Trump, that's just counterpunching.

RELATED: TRUMP SUFFERS RARE HOUSE DEFEAT AS BIPARTISAN VOTE MOVES TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAN CONFLICT

President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

After the House narrowly voted Wednesday to invoke the War Powers Act, to force an end to the Iran conflict, four Republicans — Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Barrett — broke with their party.

Trump's Truth Social response:

"Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Democrats, to limit my War........

© Fox News