DLNews Politics:

He would love to be in charge of world affairs. But instead, he sits in a golden cage.

For ex-President Donald Trump (76), it should be lonely Christmas days in his Florida resort Mar-a-Lago, at least from a political point of view.

He had grand ambitions this year - but there were setbacks: Trump had never seemed so battered. Jail seems closer than returning to the Oval Office.

The low point just before the end of Trump's term was the Capitol storming in Washington on January 6, 2021, fueled by the President himself.

"Supporters and even members of his own party are moving away from him."

Does Trump only believe in himself?

One thing is clear: in the congressional elections in November, Trump wanted to lead his Republicans to victory as a "kingmaker," chose candidates, and toured the country.

But there was no political landslide: the Democrats held the Senate and only narrowly lost the House of Representatives. And Trump? He was suddenly in the pillory himself: his "Make America Great Again" people lost in droves.

There was only one real winner: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (44). He is now his most dangerous inner-party rival.

Trump's domestic rival: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Trump's reaction: rush forward! Shortly after that, he announced his 2024 presidential candidacy.

But hardly in the race followed humiliations in the daily cycle:

• The investigative committee that investigated Trump's role in his supporters' storming of the Capitol (January 6, 2021) forwarded recommendations for criminal charges to the Justice Department. Underneath: "Supporting an insurrection."
• Conclusion of the 845-page final report: Trump is responsible for a criminal "multi-stage conspiracy" and could therefore be excluded from holding public office in the future.
• Special Counsel Jack Smith also investigates suspicions of a "coup attempt." As well as the illegal abduction of secret files from the White House. If convicted, Trump would face a lengthy prison sentence.
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• Chasing Trump: Special Counsel Jack Smith "The Trump-Hunter"

• This week, Congress released Trump's tax records from 2015 to 2020: Trump paid just $1,500 in income tax over three years. In the other years, he had blatant losses. Business geniuses look different.
• Employees try to improve Trump's mood. A laptop has been installed on his golf cart, allowing him to read "positive stories" about himself. Confidants are asked to call him more often.
• A recent survey ("USA Today") shows that Trump's star is sinking: 56 percent of Republicans want DeSantis as a 2024 candidate, and only 33 percent want Trump.

But how many times has Trump been written off? And then came back stronger.

• His secret weapon has always been his often cult-like loyal followers. But the "Trumpies" would only make up a good 20 percent of the voters, according to political scientist Jonathan Cristol. "It's no longer possible to win elections with this."

She Fights Trump with all she got: his Republican Party comrade Liz Cheney.

The notorious "base" is increasingly saying that the fever is gone. Former Trump supporter Amanda Miller. "My next vote belongs to Ron DeSantis." Political scientist Cristol: "It seems like the beginning of the end of the Trump era."