THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent

As President Trump’s administration gears up to cut Social Security, The Washington Post reports that a top official at the Social Security Administration privately admitted that Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is in charge of the cutting. The official also allowed that DOGE will “make mistakes.” Cuts to Social Security historically face major political blowback. So do Trump’s political team and the GOP really believe turning over Social Security to Musk’s marauders is a good idea? Do they think their disinformation powers are so formidable that they can overcome this, too? We talked to Tracey Gronniger, a managing director with the advocacy group Justice in Aging, who explains why these cuts could be so damaging—and how bad the political backlash is likely to get. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his speech to Congress, President Trump kept lying about his tariffs, falsely claiming that Canada is letting huge amounts of fentanyl into our country and suggesting the trade wars will only get worse. Then press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters directly that if Canada wants to avoid tariffs in the future, it should become the 51st U.S. state. She said it: Trump’s tariffs are really about getting Canada to submit to his will. Newsflash: It’s not okay for the American president to lie relentlessly about our allies and threaten them with economic Armageddon to bend them to his deranged, passing whims. We talked to Rolling Stone senior political reporter Asawin Suebsaeng, who’s been forcefully making that argument. He explains why Trump’s vile bullying of our allies deserves to be taken much more seriously, as a clear sign of Trump’s very real imperialist intentions.Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After President Donald Trump’s tariffs went into effect, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau offered an extraordinary, heartfelt plea to the American people. He said: “Your government has chosen to do this, to you.” This comes as anxiety is rising among Republicans about the tariffs. Yet even as they’re expressing trepidation, they’re also feeling forced to keep defending the tariffs, because criticizing Trump is a death sentence. We talked to columnist EJ Dionne, author of a new piece illustrating the unpopularity of Trump’s tariffs. He discusses the position Trump has placed Republicans in, how badly the tariffs will hurt their own voters, and why they will never, ever say what Trudeau just did. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, while President Trump talked about his tariffs, Fox News showed him speaking even as a graphic in the corner displayed the markets sliding. That said it all: No matter how much boasting he does about the economy, the actual metrics are getting worse—and the public knows it. Trump is launching new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and he just announced more tariffs on agricultural products, which could hurt farmers. Meanwhile, new polls from Marist and CNN show his approval under water, including on Trump’s priorities and on the economy. We talked to Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg about whether Democrats are effectively capitalizing on this moment—and whether the party should make a stronger case against Trump and Elon Musk’s wholesale assault on the system from within. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this discussion, Lauren Young, a Yale lecturer on global politics and democratic erosion, provides insight into the GOP's shifting dynamics. She highlights Senator Lisa Murkowski's bold critique of Trump's treatment of Ukrainian President Zelensky amid rising authoritarianism. The conversation also touches on the troubling alignment of U.S. figures with global far-right movements and the risks posed to democratic alliances like NATO. Young warns about the emergence of transactional politics that could jeopardize Ukraine's sovereignty and the broader implications for Western democracies.

Andrew Bates, a former White House communications adviser during the Biden administration, shares his insights on the political impact of Trump’s new tariffs. He reveals that a recent poll shows most Americans fear these tariffs will raise prices further. Bates discusses how Republicans are retreating from town halls due to voter backlash and warns of dire consequences if Medicaid cuts go through. He highlights a significant opportunity for Democrats to capitalize on the growing unrest over economic policies favoring the wealthy.

Stephanie Psaki, a former senior White House official specializing in pandemic response, discusses the recent measles outbreak in Texas, which claimed the life of an unvaccinated child. She highlights the alarming rise in measles cases and the inadequate response from political leaders like Trump and RFK Jr., who downplay vaccination importance. Psaki emphasizes the critical need for effective public health messaging and strong leadership during crises. She warns that ongoing budget cuts and cavalier attitudes towards vaccines create a 'terrifying' scenario for future health challenges.

James Downie, an MSNBC.com columnist and expert on the Trump administration, joins the discussion on the White House's new approach to media access, which aims to shield President Trump from scrutiny. He critiques Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's fiery response to the media and her struggles to address the alarming drop in consumer confidence. Downie also highlights the implications of economic turmoil on Trump’s support base, underlining how voter sentiments can shift dramatically amid financial instability.

Writer Susan Milligan, known for her sharp political analysis at The New Republic, joins to discuss Trump's recent press conference defending Elon Musk’s controversial email. They explore how Trump's chaotic defense might tarnish his image as a strong leader amid plummeting approval ratings. Milligan delves into the implications of Republicans branding Trump as a 'daddy' figure, and how his behavior contrasts with traditional GOP values. The conversation also touches on Trump's fraught global relationships and governance challenges.

Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, dives into the chaos within the GOP as House Republicans face backlash over Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. She discusses the panic among politicians struggling to engage angry voters and the defiance from Trump aides. Greenberg emphasizes the potential for Democrats to mobilize effectively by harnessing grassroots energy, especially among women and young activists. The conversation highlights shifting voter sentiments and strategies for Democrats to capitalize on the growing discontent.