Cultural Reflections in Animation and Nature

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch dig into the Trump administration's increased meddling in the tech sector, from profit-sharing deals to a possible government stake in Intel. They discuss the recent spike in the consumer price index, the president's controversial pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what the latest data signal for the economy.

The conversation then shifts to Washington, D.C., where President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency, put the local police under federal control, and deployed National Guard troops from multiple states as part of a sweeping crime crackdown. Despite over 1,700 officers and agents on the streets last week, the arrests were no higher than an average day, raising questions about whether the operation is more about politics than public safety. Later, the hosts turn to Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where threats of "severe consequences" gave way to softer rhetoric and even the adoption of some of Putin's language. A listener question lightens the mood by imagining the Roundtable as a band, with Peter on sousaphone.

0:00—Has Trump created a banana republic economy?

15:42—Consumer price index, jobs report, and the new BLS nominee

20:54—D.C. police department now under federal control

38:48—Listener question on a Roundtable musical group

45:14—Trump's meetings with Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

55:34—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in the podcast

"Intel Is Reportedly the Latest Company Trump Wants a Piece Of," by Joe Lancaster

"Trump's Tracking of AI Chip Shipments Exposes Flaws in His Export Control," by Tosin Akintola

"Trump Administration Plans To Tax More American Companies on Overseas Sales," by Jack Nicastro

"Soaring Wholesale Prices Mean Higher Inflation Is Coming. Are Tariffs To Blame?" by Eric Boehm

"Republican Governors Send National Guard to D.C.," by Liz Wolfe

"The Government Sent '20 Police Officers' With Riot Gear To Rearrest D.C. Sandwich Thrower, Says Attorney," by Billy Binion

"D.C. Residents Are Right To Protest Unconstitutional Police Roadblocks," by C.J. Ciaramella

"For Ukraine, 'Losing Slowly' Might Be a Winning Strategy," by Paul Schwennesen

"Does Donald Trump Know What a Dictator Looks Like?" by Matt Welch

"The End of Prestige," by Ross Barkan

Today's Sponsor:

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50 percent per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise—so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10 percent off your first month.

• Producer: Paul Alexander
• Video Editor: Ian Keyser

The post The Trump Economy Is Now Pay To Play appeared first on Reason.com.