The Brian Lehrer Show How President Trump Has Waged 'War' on the Bureaucracy
Sep 3, 2025
Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, shares his insights on President Trump's approach to civil servants and the implications for government bureaucracy. He explores how Trump's social media use has reshaped policy enforcement and governance dynamics. The conversation highlights the contentious relationship between Trump and government institutions, revealing the interplay of personal grievances and anti-institutional motives. Smith also delves into the role of right-wing influencers in shaping narratives, particularly regarding vaccine skepticism and misinformation.
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White House Frustration With Opaque Agencies
- Presidents often see deep agencies as opaque obstacles that resist policy change.
- Ben Smith says frustration with agencies like the Pentagon and FDA drives attempts to break bureaucratic levers.
Distrust Of Expertise Shapes Policy
- Trump and his circle view many civil servants as politically opposed or disloyal.
- Smith says they also treat expertise skeptically, calling it sometimes "fake".
From Media Programming To Governing Via Social Media
- In his first term Trump used social media to drive television and media conversation.
- Smith argues now Trump governs via social media's feedback loop and surrenders agenda control to loud influencers.