Donald Trump has 43 days until the November 3 midterm elections — and new reporting suggests his approach to the political environment is changing.

The Washington Post reports that advisers have become increasingly blunt with Trump about Republican polling and that the president has become more engaged in the midterm fight. Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll places Trump’s approval at 35%, with Democrats leading Republicans 44%-37% on its national generic congressional ballot.

Add rising gasoline prices, the Iran war, affordability concerns and the fact that Americans have already begun casting early ballots, and the countdown is no longer theoretical.

Tonight we separate the headline from the actual evidence and examine what changed, what didn’t, and what the next 43 days really mean.