3565 - Trumpflation Squeezes Parents; Populist Dem Runs in Maine w/ Elizabeth Pancotti & Graham Platner

Aug 21, 2025

Elizabeth Pancotti, former economic advisor to Bernie Sanders, discusses how the Trump administration's tariffs are inflating back-to-school supply prices, placing a heavy burden on families. Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, shares insights about his campaign strategy and the need for grassroots movements to uplift working-class voices. The conversation also critiques the media's portrayal of immigrants and explores the resulting economic anxieties that parents face during the holiday season.

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INSIGHT

Tariffs Are Driving Up School Costs

Trump's tariffs raised average back-to-school supply costs by 7.3%, far above headline inflation.
Elizabeth Pancotti says these hikes hit non-optional family expenses and will worsen over the school year.

INSIGHT

Tariffs Ripple Through Many Product Lines

Tariffs raise costs across categories beyond China-made items, hitting electronics, clothing, and shoes.
Pancotti warns major retailers are passing tariff-driven costs to consumers, squeezing families.

ADVICE

Use Strategic Tariffs With Industrial Policy

Build domestic supply requires coordinated industrial policy plus targeted tariffs as temporary incubation.
Pair buy-in incentives with manufacturing support to make U.S. production price-competitive.

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It's Emmajority Report Thursday on the Majority Report

On today's show:

In an interview with Laura Ingraham, JD Vance spews great replacement theory racism as he threatens to withhold federal funding for states that refuse to comply with the administration's Immigration Policy.

Former economic advisor to Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Pancotti joins us to talk about how the Trump administration's policies are making back-to-school supplies prices rapidly rise.

Maine Senate candidate and MR listener, Graham Platner joins us to discuss his campaign and platform.

In the Fun Half:

JD Vance, Pete Hegseth and Stephen Miller are heckled relentlessly on their way to a press conference in the depths of Union Station in DC.

Stephen Miller claims that the federal invasion of DC is to protect black people and the protestors are just "elderly hippies" from somewhere else.

RFK, Jr works out with Pete Hegseth at the pentagon and then later that night explains to Jesse Watters why he works out in jeans.

We take a look at a 2022 campaign ad from an Israeli born acting US Attorney in Nevada who recently made news for allowing a detained Israeli pedophile return home.

All that and more.

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