The Al Franken Podcast Catherine Rampell on The End of The Shutdown
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Nov 16, 2025 
Catherine Rampell, an opinion writer and economist for The Bulwark and MSNBC, dives into the recent government shutdown. She shares insights on how the Trump administration manipulated SNAP benefits during this crisis. Rampell discusses rising prices impacting Americans, contradicting Trump’s economic claims. She also critiques the idea of a 50-year mortgage for first-time homebuyers, emphasizing its potential dangers. Join them as they dissect tariffs and their chaotic consequences for consumers and businesses.
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Shutdown Used To Maximize Suffering
- The shutdown exposed deliberate tactics to maximize suffering, especially by targeting SNAP recipients.
- Catherine Rampell argues the administration used legal maneuvers and retailer threats to intensify pain and pressure Democrats.
Political Gain, Limited Policy Wins
- Democrats won narrative advantage showing premium rate hikes were the Republicans' fault, but got little concrete policy in return.
- Rampell and Al Franken question whether the late timing and limited concessions justified prolonged shutdown strategy.
Conflicting Messages On Affordability
- Trump alternates between denying affordability problems and claiming credit for solving them, creating contradictory messaging.
- Rampell calls this tactic misleading and notes data gaps from the shutdown worsened public confusion.