In this week's The Reason Roundtable, editors Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch are joined by Reason reporter Christian Britschgi to discuss President Donald Trump's proposal for a 100 percent tariff on foreign-made films and his broader attacks on cheap consumer goods, arguing that it represents a bipartisan slide into anti-consumer, anti-capitalist populism. They also criticize the federal government's creeping surveillance and bureaucratic overreach, especially when it comes to Real ID and public broadcasting.
0:00—Introduction
1:46—Trump's attack on families and foreign films
7:20—Why cheap consumer goods are great
12:05—Political movements won't solve spiritual yearning
16:28—How do tariffs affect local zoning?
18:35—Trump's new proposed budget
22:15—Why we need to cut the Department of Homeland Security budget
28:25—Listener question: Are we finally defunding NPR and PBS?
37:28—Every American citizen now needs a Real I.D.
51:07—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this podcast:
"Suspected Terrorist," by Brian Doherty
"Trump's War on Foreign Films," by Liz Wolfe
"5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer," by Eric Boehm
"When Tariff Shortages Arrive, Here's What Might Be Missing," by Eric Boehm
"Trump Admits Tariffs Could Create Shortages, Hike Prices," by Eric Boehm
"Tariffs Won't Fix What's Ailing American Men in the Work Force," by Veronique de Rugy
"You Will Work in the Factory and You Will Like It," by Liz Wolfe
"Trump's Budget Calls for $17 Billion Cut to NIH, Citing Lax Oversight of Gain-of-Function Research in Wuhan," by Christian Britschgi
"Trump Says His Budget Proposal Will End the 'Green New Scam,'" by Jeff Luse
"Can the President Refuse To Spend Money Authorized by Congress?" by Peter Suderman
"Trump Tries To Defund NPR and PBS by Executive Order," by Jesse Walker
"Is REAL ID Actually Happening?" by Emma Camp
"Same energy: Trump on dolls, Sanders on deodorants. Horseshoe theory in action. What a difference a decade makes," by Nick Gillespie
"Take the Public Out of Public Broadcasting," by Nick Gillespie
"How 'Disinformation' Became Public Enemy No. 1," by Zach Weissmueller and Nick Gillespie
"What we are facing in America is not a pandemic, or economic malaise, or resurgence of inequality, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, or lack of options, food, shelter, you name it. What we are facing is a crisis of meaning," by Nick Gillespie
"Brick. Cool lighting. But it's all about the mannequin. Need background story. 8/10 @ nickgillespie," by RoomRater
"Bernie Sanders: Don't Need 23 Choices of Deodorant, 18 Choices of Sneakers When Kids Are Going Hungry," by Ed Krayewski
Upcoming Reason events:
Reason Speakeasy: Robert Rosenkranz on The Stoic Capitalist, May 6, 2025
The Soho Forum Debate: Dave Smith vs. Alex Nowrasteh on Immigration, May 21, 2025
Today's sponsors:
- Join the 2025 Great Connections Seminar in Chicago, July 26–Aug 2. Designed for students 16–24, this week-long experience builds the core skills of entrepreneurship: critical thinking, persuasive communication, and intellectual independence. This year's theme, "Reason and Free Will," explores great minds like Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and Jefferson—not through lectures, but in dynamic, small-group discussions that train students to lead and innovate. Outside the classroom, they'll tour Chicago's museums, try improv, and connect with ambitious peers. In a world of AI and automation, original thinking is your competitive edge. Tuition is just $800, including room and board. Scholarships available. Apply today at www.reliancecollege.org/reason
- Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10% off your first month.
The post Trump's War on Childhood appeared first on Reason.com.
The Reason Roundtable 