The Daily Beast Podcast Why Trump's Blatant Corruption Hurts Us All: Reich
Sep 25, 2025
Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and co-founder of Inequality Media, joins to discuss the alarming slide towards authoritarianism in the U.S. He reveals how Trump distorts economic data and corrupts markets, emphasizing the role of billionaire enablers. Reich criticizes the cowardice of corporate leaders and urges citizens to step up where elites fail. He also highlights the vital role of Gen Z activism and calls for coordinated action to combat tyranny, all while reflecting on the erosion of constitutional freedoms and the need for collective mobilization.
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Undermining Data Harms The Economy
- Robert Reich warns that White House attacks on data and institutions create economic uncertainty that deters investment and hiring.
- He says shooting the messenger makes markets distrust the dollar and worsens global economic volatility.
Quarterly Reports Encourage Short-Termism
- Reich agrees that reducing quarterly reporting could force companies to take a longer-term view of business decisions.
- He frames quarterly pressures as encouraging short-termism that harms the broader economy.
Crypto As A Corruption And Bubble
- Reich calls Trump's crypto dealings "pure corruption" and likens crypto to speculative bubbles like tulips and 2008 derivatives.
- He argues crypto is often used for illicit transactions and creates environmental harm with little social value.
