Trump's War on Childhood
The Reason Roundtable
Toys, Tariffs, and Trade Wars
This chapter explores Donald Trump's controversial remarks on the toy industry and tariffs affecting children's goods, blending political humor with cultural commentary. It examines the implications of prioritizing domestic manufacturing versus affordable consumerism, alongside the frustrations many Americans feel amid changing economic dynamics. The speakers highlight the broader themes of consumer choice, societal malaise, and the complex relationship between zoning laws and economic innovation in the Trump era.
In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Christian Britschgi to discuss President Donald Trump's proposal for a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made films and his broader attacks on cheap consumer goods, arguing that it represents a bipartisan slide into anti-consumer, anti-capitalist populism. They also criticize the federal government's creeping surveillance and bureaucratic overreach, especially when it comes to Real ID and public broadcasting.
0:00—Introduction
1:46—Trump's attack on families and foreign films
7:20—Why cheap consumer goods are great
12:05—Political movements won't solve spiritual yearning
16:28—How do tariffs affect local zoning?
18:35—Trump's new proposed budget
22:15—Why we need to cut the Department of Homeland Security budget
28:25—Listener question: Are we finally defunding NPR and PBS?
37:28—Every American citizen now needs a Real I.D.
51:07—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this podcast:
"Suspected Terrorist," by Brian Doherty
"Trump's War on Foreign Films," by Liz Wolfe
"5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer," by Eric Boehm
"When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing," by Eric Boehm
"Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices," by Eric Boehm
"Tariffs Won't Fix What's Ailing American Men in the Work Force," by Veronique de Rugy
"You Will Work in the Factory and You Will Like It," by Liz Wolfe
"Trump's Budget Calls for $17 Billion Cut to NIH, Citing Lax Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research in Wuhan," by Christian Britschgi
"Trump Says His Budget Proposal Will End the 'Green New Scam,'" by Jeff Luse
"Can the President Refuse To Spend Money Authorized by Congress?" by Peter Suderman
"Trump Tries To Defund NPR and PBS by Executive Order," by Jesse Walker
"Is REAL ID Actually Happening?" by Emma Camp
"Same energy: Trump on dolls, Sanders on deodorants. Horseshoe theory in action. What a difference a decade makes," by Nick Gillespie
"Take the Public Out of Public Broadcasting," by Nick Gillespie
"How 'Disinformation' Became Public Enemy No. 1," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie
"Brick. Cool lighting. But it's all about the mannequin. Need background story. 8/10 @ nickgillespie," by RoomRater
"Bernie Sanders: Don't Need 23 Choices of Deodorant, 18 Choices of Sneakers When Kids Are Going Hungry," by Ed Krayewski
Upcoming Reason events:
Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 6, 2025
The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025
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- Video Editor: Ian Keyser
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