THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Raging Trump Wrecks GOP’s 2026 Message as MAGA Panic Grows: “Disaster”
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Dec 15, 2025 Joining the discussion is Rob Shapiro, an economist and policy analyst recognized for his work on macroeconomic policy. They dive into Trump's chaotic messaging on affordability, revealing how his rhetoric directly ties him to rising costs. Shapiro highlights the implications of tariff policies and explains the GOP’s panic over looming midterm disasters. As they scrutinize productivity versus wage stagnation, Shapiro predicts worsening economic conditions for Republicans heading into 2026. It's an eye-opening look at the clash between Trump’s policies and voter perception.
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Affordability Flip-Flop Undermines GOP Message
- Trump oscillates between calling affordability a "hoax" and admitting it's a priority, which undermines his credibility.
- That flip-flop forces Republicans into a messaging conundrum they can't reconcile with his persona.
Tariffs Turn Political Promise Into Liability
- People feel prices are less affordable and attribute that blame to Trump because he claimed he would reshape the economy.
- His tariff-focused policy stance concretely raised costs, linking policy choices to public sentiment.
Tariff Lag Means Inflation Will Reaccelerate
- Inflation slowed through 2023–24 but reversed in 2025 and is now rising near 3% annually.
- Inventories built ahead of tariffs are spent, so reordering at higher tariff-adjusted costs will accelerate inflation.