Slate News Political Gabfest | Is Trump’s Reckless Bill Unpopular?
Jul 3, 2025
Catherine Rampell, a Washington Post opinion columnist and MSNBC anchor, joins Will Saletan, a former Slate colleague, to unpack the implications of Trump's latest budget bill. They explore its potential damage to health care for the underprivileged and how it might serve the interests of the wealthy. The discussion also reveals the evolving dynamics of the Republican Party under Trump, questioning whether there's still a place for moderates. Rampell also reflects on the ethical controversies of Trump's new merchandise ventures, including a fragrance.
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Regressive Wealth Transfer Explored
- The Trump bill is a massive transfer of wealth from poor to rich and cuts social safety nets like Medicaid and food stamps.
- It partly pays for regressive tax cuts by making medical and food assistance programs harder to access.
Bond Market vs Fiscal Reality
- Bond market yields have not spiked despite the bill's massive deficits, which perplexes economists.
- This may reflect technical accounting changes and market optimism, but it signals questionable fiscal policy.
Medicaid Cuts Harm Vulnerable
- Medicaid work requirements are popular in theory but mainly serve to cut people off due to bureaucratic hurdles.
- Real-life cases show these policies cause serious harm by making it difficult for vulnerable people to maintain coverage.
