Navigating Economic Perceptions and Political Strategies

This week, we’re reassessing both the resiliency of the economy, and the health of U.S. democracy.

Why? Because recent data suggests Donald Trump’s reactionary policy blitz (global tariffs, mass deportation) has caused the economy to seize up; and Trump has responded by trying to kill the messengers.

In this episode you’ll hear all about:

* What the recent jobs numbers actually say, and how do they gel with other recent data;

* Sydney Sweeney;

* Why data pointing to a slowdown, if not a contraction, fits the facts of Trump’s erratic agenda;

* The bull and the bear theories of the case: Could the economy somehow continue growing despite all this? Would Trump be freaking out like this if he thought the economy was firing on all cylinders?

Then, behind the paywall, is a recession the sort of thing Trump could even theoretically bullshit his way out of? Or would reality break through? What would a “recession coverup” attempt actually look like, given the complexity of the data? And what’s Trump likely to do if and when his excuses and lies stop selling?

All that, plus the full Politix archive are available to paid subscribers—just upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed.

Further reading:

* Brian on why Trump’s reaction to the jobs report is of a piece with broader signs that he and his administration are spiraling.

* Matt notes Argentina’s recent economic successes are attributable to Javier Milei’s decision to abandon an unworkable agenda.

* Dean Baker breaks down why the jobs news is so bad.