The Reason Roundtable Trump's Independent Voter Problem
Libertarians' Ideas Gaining Traction
- Libertarians were right about many issues including tariffs, economic policies, executive overreach, and drug legalization.
- People are increasingly rejecting non-libertarian policies but are not necessarily identifying as libertarians.
Independents as Political Corrective
- Independents act as a corrective against authoritarian tendencies in both major parties.
- Their reaction often dictates election outcomes but doesn't necessarily mean they adopt libertarian values.
Democrats Co-opt Libertarian Language
- Democrats appear to co-opt libertarian language about freedom and deregulation through the Abundance Agenda.
- Actual elected Democratic support for libertarian-like policies is minimal, limiting real influence.
In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch discuss how many current political frustrations— with tariffs, executive overreach, and economic stagnation—are vindicating longstanding libertarian critiques, even as the public resists identifying as libertarian. They also explore Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.
1:34—Libertarians were right
10:06—The best case for libertarianism in the Trump era
16:52—Are the Democrats pushing a libertarian-ish agenda?
24:40—Tech leaders regret supporting President Donald Trump?
39:47—Weekly listener question: What books should libertarian ladies suggest to their book club?
47:39— What is RFK Jr. doing to "Make America Healthy Again"?
59:03— Weekly cultural recommendations
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Mentioned in this podcast:
"The Libertarian Moment," by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch
"The Libertarian Movement Needs a Kick in the Pants," by Nick Gillespie
"Are Seed Oils Actually Bad for You?" by Alice Callahan
"Food Freedom Is Personal Freedom," by Jeffrey A. Singer
"Alton Brown: A Culinary Legend Offers Food for Thought," by Nick Gillespie
"Nick Gillespie's Last Meal," by Tom Nash
"[Lexi Freiman's The Book of Ayn] Punches up, down, and all around town. A great Xmas gift for Objectivists and Red Scare communistas alike, if such ppl exchange gifts," by Nick Gillespie
"The Big U," by Neal Stephenson
"How Media and Public Health Failed Our Kids (w/ David Zweig)," by Matt Welch
"In Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us," by Stephen Macedo and Frances E. Lee
"Trump's Understanding of Due Process Is Just As Farcical As His Definition of 'Alien Enemies,'" by Jacob Sullum
"As the Economy Tumbles, so Does Trump's Approval Rate," by Matthew Petti
"Will the 'Abundance' Agenda Make California Great Again?" By Steven Greenhut
"Is This Constitutional? Here's How Due Process Works," by Billy Binion
"By Openly Retaliating Against Disfavored Law Firms, Trump Attacks Free Speech and the Right to Counsel," by Jacob Sullum
"The Trump Administration Continues To Attack Due Process," by C.J. Ciaramella
"George Will: Brace Yourself for Donald Trump & the Authoritarian Moment," by Todd Krainin, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch
"DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success," by Christian Britschgi
"We Don't Need RFK Jr. To 'Make America Healthy Again,'" by Kelvey Vander Hart
"Reopen the Schools!" By Robby Soave
"The Accountant 2 Is a Shaggy, Silly Bro-Hangout Movie," by Peter Suderman
Upcoming Reason events:
Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 7, 2025
The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025
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