Politix

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmOn Donald Trump’s hundredth day in office—the day we taped this podcast—he was historically unpopular, driving the country into recession, and responding to the loss of confidence in his administration by escalating his authoritarian threats against the public. In this special episode, Paul Krugman joins Brian to discuss:* What Trump has done to the U.S. economy in just the past 100 days.* Why it’s too late for him to fix some of the mistakes he made without subjecting Americans to real economic hardships in the coming weeks.* How his own faithless, erratic conduct will make recovery difficult (for the economy and his polling) even if he ends his trade war. Then, behind the paywall, how can future leaders attempt to undo the damage Trump has done? What will the country look like after 1300ish more days of this? Are economic forecasters underrating the risk of recession to hedge their bets? Would further inroads toward dictatorship deepen the economic crisis as well as the crisis of democracy and human rights? And what does it say about the direness of our circumstances that major upheaval, like impeachment and removal, would likely help restore global economic confidence in the U.S.All that, plus the full Politix archive are available to paid subscribers—just upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed. Further reading:* Krugman asks, Did Peter Navarro save democracy? * Brian argues that though Trump is wreaking economic havoc, the rising against him isn’t class war as commonly understood on the left.* Matt argues hoping Trump implodes is not enough, and Democrats need a plan to actually win back the Senate.

The discussion dives into Trump's tough-guy view of masculinity and its implications for women's roles, suggesting a return to manual labor. The critique of right-wing ideologies highlights the risks of crushing female employment. As they explore how Republican strategies may lack the courage to fully embrace cultural changes, they question what liberals can do to appeal to hardworking men who reject Trump's authoritarianism. The conversation suggests a societal shift could emerge by encouraging men to socialize more and engage offline.

Delve into the complexities of Donald Trump's trade war and its fleeting impact on markets. Explore whether traders or Democrats have a better grasp of the economic fallout. The discussion also highlights how Trump's actions might lead to greater backlash than inflation under Biden. With threats to democracy looming, the podcast examines how Democrats can strategize to sustain their political power amid chaos and recruit candidates to maximize their chances in upcoming elections.

This discussion highlights how Donald Trump's tariffs decimated wealth and strained trade relations. The hosts delve into the shock among billionaire backers and the broader economic implications, questioning if Trump seeks a way to negotiate his way out of the mess. They examine the Democratic Party's response and ponder if they are navigating the crisis effectively. There’s also an analysis of international power dynamics, revealing how world leaders interact with Trump and setting the stage for possible recovery in a globally shaken economy.

Dive into the controversial unitary executive theory and its implications for presidential power. Explore how recent shifts in the filibuster are reshaping legislative dynamics. Hear about the challenges facing the Democratic Party amid Republican struggles in special elections. The discussion also highlights the dangers of an unaccountable presidency and its potential impact on the Federal Reserve. Delve into the complexities of executive authority and the risk of political corruption in today's political landscape.

Senate Democrats face backlash for their handling of the government shutdown, igniting fierce discussions about the debt limit. A looming crisis prompts questions about what could happen if the U.S. runs out of borrowing authority. The impact of the Trump administration's security breaches is examined, highlighting concerns over secure communication. Strategies for Democratic leaders to effectively assert their demands amid Republican pressure are underscored, raising critical questions about leveraging votes to protect important programs like Medicaid.

Tensions are rising within the Democratic Party as dissatisfaction mounts over leadership under Chuck Schumer. With both Democrats and Republicans facing disillusioned voters, the urgency of effective strategies is highlighted. The podcast dives into the failure to handle government funding and debates the feasibility of a comeback for the party in upcoming elections. Voices clash on whether the focus should be on defensive strategies or more aggressive tactics to combat the looming threat of Donald Trump. It's a critical examination of internal party dynamics and electoral realities.

Tensions rise as Democrats ponder their strategy against a looming government shutdown while facing a chaotic Republican party. Key discussions revolve around using the filibuster to strip contentious funding provisions. The impact of economic decline adds pressure, as Democrats question whether to leverage their position against a clean funding bill. They also explore the challenges posed by a billion-dollar budget cut affecting local governance. With influential figures like Trump and Musk in the spotlight, the path forward becomes increasingly fraught.

The podcast delves into Trump's confrontational State of the Union address, highlighting its aggressive style and divisive rhetoric. It questions the effectiveness of this approach on public trust and popularity. The discussion also critiques misleading statements about Social Security, exploring the repercussions of misinformation on policy. Additionally, it examines the economic consequences of tariff policies and the ethical concerns surrounding potential insider trading linked to political decisions.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.politix.fmEven in the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, most Americans thought Donald Trump was a good steward of the economy. This misplaced faith has been key to his political durability. But after just one month of indiscriminately firing federal workers, illegally reneging on federal spending commitments, and making erratic threats to tariff the bejesus out of our trading partners, his economic approval has fallen under water. So what’s going on?In this episode, Matt and Brian discuss:* Are people really just annoyed that Trump has ignored the price of eggs and other staple goods?* Is it that by mistreating people and crippling important services, he’s created an unflattering news environment that has soured people on him generally?* Or might he have actually tipped the economy into recession at lightning speed?Then, behind the paywall, why does the explanation matter? Did Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries happen to land on exactly the right strategy to oppose Trump in his second term? If people are actually mad about the cruelty and lawlessness, does it suggest Democrats should shift their focus from egg trolling to forcing Trump back into regular order?And to that end, are Democrats prepared to force a confrontation over the rule of law as the deadline to fund the government approaches?All that, plus the full Politix archive are available to paid subscribers—just upgrade your subscription and pipe full episodes directly to your favorite podcast app via your own private feed. Further reading:* Brian on why losing popularity so quickly puts a big dent in Trump’s plan to become an autocrat. * Matt on how foreign leaders on the receiving end of Trump’s tariff’s threats can exploit this weakness by calling his bluff. * The perils of the Trump-GOP plan to cut Medicaid.