Molly Jong-Fast interviews Platypus Economics Justin Wolfers about why presidents are usually blamed for economic outcomes they don’t fully control, but argues this time several major disruptions *are* politically driven—especially a renewed trade war that he says has hurt manufacturing and become “good money after bad.” They discuss how the Trump budget and policy incentives allegedly shifted resources upward and led to millions being kicked off SNAP, framing these impacts as personal and immediate for families. Wolfers also explains the child tax credit through the lens of helping children rather than judging parents, and then turns to why consumer sentiment is so negative even when some indicators (markets, spending) look okay—focusing on fears that prices will rise faster than wages because people believe bosses set pay rather than market forces. The conversation touches on concerns about political pressure for rate cuts, skepticism about “stagflation,” criticism of rosy or dishonest economic messaging, and closes with what might restore confidence: a credible fiscal plan to reassure bond markets and, more broadly, less “idiosyncratic”—or “dumb”—policy making.Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328

<p>Molly Jong-Fast interviews Platypus Economics Justin Wolfers about why presidents are usually blamed for economic outcomes they don&rsquo;t fully control, but argues this time several major disruptions *are* politically driven&mdash;especially a renewed trade war that he says has hurt manufacturing and become &ldquo;good money after bad.&rdquo; They discuss how the Trump budget and policy incentives allegedly shifted resources upward and led to millions being kicked off SNAP, framing these impacts as personal and immediate for families. Wolfers also explains the child tax credit through the lens of helping children rather than judging parents, and then turns to why consumer sentiment is so negative even when some indicators (markets, spending) look okay&mdash;focusing on fears that prices will rise faster than wages because people believe bosses set pay rather than market forces. The conversation touches on concerns about political pressure for rate cuts, skepticism about &ldquo;stagflation,&rdquo; criticism of rosy or dishonest economic messaging, and closes with what might restore confidence: a credible fiscal plan to reassure bond markets and, more broadly, less &ldquo;idiosyncratic&rdquo;&mdash;or &ldquo;dumb&rdquo;&mdash;policy making.Subscribe to Fast Politics and listen 4x a week for interviews just like this on your favorite podcast app: https://episodes.fm/1645614328</p>

Join noted author & pundit Molly Jong-Fast for irreverent humor that cuts right to the heart of our politics today as she discusses the top political headlines with some of today’s best minds. Known for being one of the few interviewers in politics to cut through the talking points, Molly reveals the personalities and issues tearing the country apart. She asks the questions no one else does, and gets the answers even her guests didn’t expect to give – and exactly what you want to know. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday & Friday for the funniest yet serious look at what’s ailing America.

<p>Join noted author &amp; pundit Molly Jong-Fast for irreverent humor that cuts right to the heart of our politics today as she discusses the top political headlines with some of today’s best minds. Known for being one of the few interviewers in politics to cut through the talking points, Molly reveals the personalities and issues tearing the country apart. She asks the questions no one else does, and gets the answers even her guests didn’t expect to give – and exactly what you want to know. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday &amp; Friday for the funniest yet serious look at what’s ailing America.</p>

Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

GOP Give Up On Trump’s Economic Leadership w_ Justin Wolfers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1dfacd0b-5467-4c28-89ab-b4a6017346f7/transcript