Morning Joe 'Extraordinarily tone deaf': Joe slams Trump for mixed messaging on economy
Dec 11, 2025
Political reporter Jonathan Lemire shares insights on Trump's tone-deaf messaging about the economy, criticizing his dismissive remarks amid rising costs. Steve Ratner, a former Treasury official, breaks down the Federal Reserve's rate cut and its implications for inflation and jobs. They discuss how Trump’s rally failed to resonate with voters' affordability concerns. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on productivity and the mixed effects of tariffs on various sectors, highlighting the growing economic challenges ahead.
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Tone-Deaf Messaging On Affordability
- Joe Scarborough says President Trump is "extraordinarily tone deaf" on affordability and dismisses voters' real cost pressures.
- Scarborough argues Trump's personal wealth and messaging gap hurt his connection with struggling Americans.
Poconos Rally Backfired
- Jonathan Lemire recounts the Poconos event meant to address affordability that instead featured Trump calling it a "hoax."
- Lemire notes voters tuned out because they wanted concrete plans to lower prices.
Prices Down Selectively, Costs Still Rise
- Hosts highlight that some prices like gasoline fell but overall living costs keep rising per BLS data.
- They link tariffs and policy choices to persistent inflationary pressure and central bank responses.