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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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.
Attack On CNN Raises Overreach Fears
- Joe and Mika argue Trump's calls to sell CNN signal a dangerous effort to punish a news outlet he dislikes.
- They warn it risks regulators, Congress, and courts facing pressure to allow political interference in media.
When Your Own People Turn On You
- Jonathan Lemire says internal Republican defections signal political danger when a leader's allies turn on him.
- He suggests losing support from pragmatic conservatives could erode Trump's broader coalition.