The discussion kicks off with inflation concerns under Trump's administration, spotlighting the unreliable data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The hosts then dive into a finance term that made headlines, igniting Trump's ire. They tackle the intriguing question of whether Gen Z really hates reading, shaping a conversation around changing literary habits and the influence of social media. Closing with a look at AI's cultural cuteness and the growing trend of 'buy now, pay later,' the talk blends economic insights with a dash of humor.
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insights INSIGHT
Inflation Vibes Are Not Strong
Inflation currently remains low despite tariff increases not yet fully impacting prices.
Prices for critical items like eggs and gasoline are stable, reducing public anger about inflation.
insights INSIGHT
Rare Earths Aren't Rare But Costly
Rare earth minerals are abundant but costly to mine responsibly outside China.
Environmental regulations make U.S. mining more expensive, causing dependence on cheaper Chinese sources.
insights INSIGHT
BLS Staff Cuts Hurt Data Accuracy
Reduced staffing and budget cuts at BLS have impaired accurate inflation data collection.
The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector[1][3][5].
Billion dollar whale
The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World
Wright, Tom (Wall Street Journal reporter)
Bradley Hope
Wright, Tom, Hope, Bradley
Tom Wright
The book details the extraordinary 1MDB scandal, where Jho Low, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, orchestrated a massive fraud. Over a decade, Low siphoned billions of dollars from an investment fund, using the money to finance elections, purchase luxury real estate, throw lavish parties, and even finance Hollywood films like 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' The authors expose the secret nexus of elite wealth, banking, Hollywood, and politics, and how Low’s actions led to him becoming an international fugitive facing criminal charges in Malaysia and the United States.
This week: Prices are going up, but inflation data has become unreliable under Trump. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers discuss how staffing cuts at The Bureau of Labor Statistics have called economic data into question, and what that means for our economy. Then, someone went ahead and told Trump what TACO stands for and he’s pissed. The hosts discuss how a markets term coined by financejournalist Robert Armstrong went mainstream and whether Trump knowing about it changes anything. And finally, does Gen Z hate reading or not? What are these kinds of stories really telling us?
In the Slate Plus episode: The most anticipated fight is ON!
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Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth.
Slate Money 
