Donald Trump's presidency, as his campaign did, seems to be operating on two tracks | Alex Wong/Getty Images Trump’s presidency: A tale of two paths With some of Trump’s agenda in jeopardy, the president returns to his base.

NASHVILLE — President Donald Trump is not always one to sweat the details. But with two of his major campaign promises in serious danger and the wiretapping controversy consuming headlines, the president privately seethed to aides Wednesday, as his travel ban was again ruled unconstitutional.

Then, he took the stage to rapturous applause and told the crowd how great his administration was doing.

"I'd much rather spend time with you than any of the pundits, consultants, or special interests," Trump told the crowd.

Trump's presidency, as his campaign did, seems to be operating on two tracks. In Washington, judges rule against him, legislators fret at his inability to focus, tales emerge of administrative disorder and aides fight for the president's ear. It sometimes seems to be more sizzle than steak, with a president frustrated and sometimes uninterested with the details and struggling to enact his agenda.

On the road, his fans line up for 12 hours or more, yell down protesters and scream his praises so loudly that it can be difficult to hear. The president throws lots of red-meat lines to his supporters, as do his surrogates. Introducing him on Wednesday night, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump said it was nice people were saying the pledge of allegiance and “Merry Christmas” again. It was unclear when anyone stopped, but the crowd loved it.

A federal judge ruled his new travel ban unconstitutional about an hour before he was scheduled to address a raucous rally Wednesday in Nashville, even though aides watered down a first one that was also ruled unconstitutional. The judge partially blamed the administration's own words for his ruling.

Off stage, Trump flashed irritation and anger to aides and advisers and grew red-faced as he talked about the travel ban order on stage, according to administration officials. How, Trump asked the people around him, was this one shot down, too?

On stage, he mocked the judge and said the ruling was mere politics. He vowed to fight to the Supreme Court.

He drew some of the biggest applause of the night when mentioning the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism," which some aides have disagreed with because it hurts their ability to work with Islamic allies. And, just as he responded to the judicial ruling blocking his first travel ban by insulting the “so-called” judge, he damaged his case for a future ban, advocates say, by saying he preferred the first one, but the crowd didn't seem to notice.

To add to his woes, the leading Republican on the House Intelligence committee said there was no evidence for Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama "wiretapped" his phones in Trump Tower during the "very sacred" election. His claims were widely mocked, and legislators again in Washington Thursday said they weren't substantiated.

He doubled down, saying evidence would emerge in the next two weeks -- even though officials say there is none. Sean Spicer, his press secretary, who was forced to apologize to the British on Friday after repeating wiretapping claims that the country tapped the White House, was mobbed by the crowd as a hero.

"Way to tell them like it is, Sean!" one man yelled. Dozens of people lined up for pictures with Spicer, who continued to back the president.

His budget came under widespread criticism, even some from Republicans, for cutting money to programs like Meals on Wheels and foreign aid. He defended it robustly by vowing to "cut the hell out of taxes" and building the military. He was roundly cheered.

Nothing showed the dichotomy more than health care. His law seemed to be on the ropes, with conservatives railing against it and the White House feverishly negotiating changes in Washington. In Washington, aides and GOP legislators were increasingly worried that Trump can't focus on it. "I don't know what he will do," one senior GOP aide said.

The health care law has created long days and difficult nights for Speaker Paul Ryan, who deeply cares about the individual provisions and his reputation of getting it done. It’s brought salad days for lobbyists and sent health care executives scurrying around Capitol Hill. It has scared his aides, who fear that if it fails, getting anything else done will be hard.

Scott Reed, the chief strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the success of the bill would depend on whether Trump "leans his shoulder into the wheel." It is undoubtedly Trump’s first major legislative test—one that could set the tone for the rest of his administration.

On stage, he railed against the Democrats for the health care law, repeating the infamous Obama phrase: "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor." He gave little specifics about what's next but promised the crowd he would eventually fix Obamacare.

Yet Trump only mentioned the law near the end of his speech. In private conversations with advisers, aides and associates, Trump often seems more animated about other issues like taxes or immigration, or leaks within his administration or his media coverage. Several of his closest aides, including Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller, who often drive policy in the White House, have seemed far less interested in health care, people who know and have spoken to them say.

While aides say Trump is determined to reach a deal on repealing Obamacare, he’s privately mused he would be OK if this particular proposal fails—as long as Democrats take the blame. But he recently told legislators he didn't like seeing people on TV saying bad things about him and the law. Several people have left recent conversations with him feeling that he doesn’t care as much about the details, as long as he has something to sign.

“He has been mostly taken aback by how everyone is so unhappy with the plan,” said one friend who often speaks to the president.

A White House spokesman did not respond to request for comment.

One reason for the rally, one adviser said, was for Trump to see that he remains popular outside Washington. His team delayed the rally so the crowd could fill into the upper deck, knowing he would be upset if he saw empty seats. He complained backstage about the ban.

Roaring onto the stage as Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA,” his face soon grew red as he derided drugs coming in from Mexico, liberal judges from the West Coast, the “very dishonest” news media.

He speaks in broad terms, talking about the stock market rising and taking credit. He reminded the crowd of his executive orders and his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, cherrypicking facts and presenting his case with conviction. The president mocked Hillary Clinton, even though the election ended four months ago, bringing a sustained cheer of “Lock her up!” from the crowd. Trump didn’t respond either way but let them chant for at least 10 seconds.

Chris Ruddy, a friend who often speaks to Trump, said the president enjoys the rallies because they give him a chance “to give his message globally.”

“If he gets what he promised done, and I think he has a good shot at it, everything else won't matter,” Ruddy said.

On Air Force One back to Washington, Trump seemed happy with the rally and made some news — that he will hold them every two weeks. Trump then turned briefly to health care, again offering no specifics.

“We will get something through. We’re going to mix it up, we’re going to come up with something. We always do,” Trump said.