The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Friends,What do we make of 2025, other than that it was a horrible and cruel year? On today’s Klatch, Heather and I sift through your questions about what we’ve been through, what it means, what are the big lessons from 2025, and who are the real heroes. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. Happy New Year! You look great! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,I recently had the delight of conversing with acclaimed author Michael Lewis (The Big Short, Liar’s Poker, Moneyball, Flash Boys, Going Infinite, The Fifth Risk, The Premonition, The Blind Side, The Undoing Project, Boomerang, and, most recently, Who Is Government?). I asked him to join me to discuss our recent books. Our subject was Trump, but our conversation ranged from the political to the personal. It occurred before a live audience and was great fun. I thought this holiday week a perfect occasion to share it with you. My thanks to Michael. Hope you had a happy holiday and have a restful weekend. Oh, and you look great. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into Trump’s increasingly addled brain — seeking to understand how quickly he’s losing his capacities and the dangers this poses for the rest of us. We begin with his bizarre response to the killings of Rob and Michele Reiner earlier this week, followed by his lie-filled speech to the nation and his chief-of-staff’s description of him as having the personality of an “alcoholic” who believes he’s omnipotent. We also examine his mounting losses: congressional Republicans who are deserting him, federal courts that continue to reject his orders, and polls showing him tanking. And we attempt to sum up this harrowing year. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in our discussion. Also: In next Saturday’s year-end klatch, we’ll take your questions about anything — so please leave them in the comments below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I — along with our Gen Z associates Katie Milne and Vishal Shankar — explore why the Republican Party is in near revolt against Trump. Congressional Republicans repeatedly rebuked him this week. Twenty House Republicans joined Democrats in passing a discharge petition to restore union rights to federal workers; 14 signed on to another discharge petition to prevent members of Congress from trading stocks. Meanwhile, a Democrat won the race to become mayor of Miami (for the first time in 30 years), and the Indiana Senate rejected a congressional redistricting plan despite Trump’s pressure campaign on Republican lawmakers.Why is Trump losing so badly now? Because his polls are plummeting. He refuses to acknowledge how difficult it is for most Americans to make ends meet — calling the affordability crisis a “sham” cooked up by Democrats, while his tariffs continue to jack up prices. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends, Trump evidently persuaded Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, the world football league, to award him the first (and likely last) annual FIFA Peace Prize, along with a hagiographic video. It’s all part of Infantino’s efforts to craft a close alliance with Trump.And Trump has just had his name engraved on the U.S. Institute of Peace — now renamed the “Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.” The absurd award and equally absurd engraving are parts of Trump’s pathetic campaign to get the Nobel Peace Prize — something he has coveted since Barack Obama was awarded it in 2009.We cover much more today. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and are now enjoying a restful post-Thanksgiving weekend. Today, Heather and I discuss the Thanksgiving holiday — from our own childhood memories, to Norman Rockwell’s iconic “freedom from want” Thanksgiving cover for The Saturday Evening Post. To Trump’s terrible Thanksgiving week — pardoning turkeys, criminals who support him and other criminals who pay him off. Also: American consumers’ exceedingly costly Thanksgiving — due to Trump policies. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,The big story this week is that Trump is losing it — losing his grip, losing control over the narrative, losing power over the Republican Party, and losing even more of his mind.Today, we examine at it all: Trump’s abrupt turnaround on the Epstein files. His demand that the Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military not to follow illegal orders be executed. His disgusting celebration of the Saudi Crown Prince (“Mr. Bonesaw”) Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, who oversaw the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The terrible Trump economy. His crashing poll numbers. The pushback from the federal courts. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

This week features a riveting discussion on Senate Democrats' controversial compromise over the government shutdown. The hosts dissect the resurgent Jeffrey Epstein scandal and its implications for Trump's presidency. They spotlight Katie Wilson's mayoral win as a beacon of progressive activism and praise labor actions by Starbucks baristas. Insights into the erosion of judicial integrity, the media's framing of Trump, and economic realities amid the shutdown round out a thought-provoking conversation on accountability and activism.

Dean Fuleihan, the incoming First Deputy Mayor of New York City, shares insights from his extensive experience in government operations. He discusses the deputy mayor's vital role in implementing city services and executing ambitious policies alongside Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Fuleihan reflects on lessons learned from past administrations, stresses the importance of working closely with Albany, and emphasizes the need for ongoing engagement from campaign volunteers to drive change. His blend of experience and youthful leadership sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in NYC politics.

Vishal Shankar, an elections correspondent, sheds light on recent political shifts in the U.S. He analyzes the impact of New York City's social democratic mayoral win, emphasizing grassroots organizing triumphing over billionaires. Shankar compares volunteer turnout to past movements, highlighting the urgent need for Democrats to deliver on affordability. He also addresses shifts in Latino and young voters, and discusses how modest Democratic gains could reshape Congress. The conversation reflects a growing voter identity centered around economic needs.