Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Senator Rand Paul Talks Shutdown, Trump’s Drug Boat Strikes and More

Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Bloomberg News
Guest: Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Senator Rand Paul, who stands as a consistent outlier in the U.S. Senate for opposing both Republican and Democratic spending bills that would reopen the government amid another shutdown. Senator Paul discusses his steadfast approach to federal spending, the divisiveness over subsidies for health care, alarming new U.S. drug interdiction tactics in Venezuela, the spread of government equity stakes in private companies, and his continued support for Donald Trump despite reservations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Last Fiscal Hawk? Shutdown and Government Spending

• Paul’s Fiscal Stance: Senator Paul reiterates his opposition to both parties’ budget proposals, critiquing rising deficits in Republican and Democratic plans alike.
  • “The Republican plan...led to about a $2 trillion deficit...the Democrats’ alternative...would be $3 trillion.” (00:39)
  • His proposed “penny plan” aims for steeper spending cuts and budget balance over five years.
• Support Among Republicans:
  • Over half of the Republican caucus joined him on a recent vote, but a persistent bloc of big-government Republicans often aligns with Democrats on spending.
  • “When I get home, I get nothing but encouragement...People at home are like, thank you for standing your ground.” (01:33)
• On “Shutdown” Rhetoric:
  • Criticizes both parties for distilling a complex debate about budgets and subsidies into simplistic, partisan talking points.
  • “A lot of people are at fault for devolving this debate down to maybe a third grade level and not really thinking it through.” (03:59)

2. Health Care and Tariffs

• Constituent Concerns:
  • The impact of tariffs on Kentucky industries (family farms, bourbon, cargo) is the primary concern he hears about locally.
  • Small businesses also struggle with health insurance costs outside of the Obamacare exchanges.
• Paul’s Market-Driven Health Solution:
  • Proposes allowing collective bargaining for health coverage via associations like Costco to leverage lower prices.
  • Warns that government subsidies contribute to national debt and inflation, undermining intended benefits.
  • “The reason you can’t just give everybody money is we don’t have the money to give to them. We have to borrow it from China.” (02:29)

3. The New Venezuela Drug Boat Strikes

• Rising Concerns Over Extrajudicial Killings:
  • Criticizes the administration’s new policy of destroying suspected drug boats near Venezuela without proper vetting.
  • “We’ve blown up four boats now...Did one of those four boats not have drug dealers on it? If they all had drug dealers on it—the first 11 they killed, what were their names? What was the evidence linking them to being part of a gang?” (06:33)
  • Warns of a dangerous precedent and possible intent to provoke a regime change.
• Call for Congressional Oversight:
  • Plans to co-sponsor a War Powers Act resolution related to U.S. strikes off Venezuela, demanding due process and legislative oversight for military action.
  • “I will co-sponsor the War Powers act later this week...the idea that you can kill someone who you don’t know their name and has had no process at all...” (08:00)

4. Government Ownership in U.S. Companies

• On Government Equity Stakes:
  • Strongly opposes the government’s growing trend of taking ownership stakes in companies like Trilogy Metals, U.S. Steel, and others.
  • Argues it’s a step toward socialism, which he fundamentally opposes.
  • “I’m not for government ownership of the means of production, but I’m also not for the government owning 10% of the means of production...Imagine what this would be like if you had Mondami as president, or AOC as president...What if she owned 10% of Exxon?” (09:34)
• Predicts Legal Challenges:
  • Suggests these policies may face challenges in court due to Congress not authorizing such equity swaps in law.

5. Paul’s View on Trump, Autocracy, and Federal Workers

• Is Trump an Autocrat?
  • Despite sharp policy disagreements, Paul stands by his support for Trump over Democrats, praising his record on taxes and business regulation.
  • “Despite my complaints...I still think he’s the best president of our lifetime. Frankly, I would vote for him a million times over...” (11:30)
• Federal Worker Back Pay:
  • Expects back pay for federal workers to be included in any shutdown resolution.
  • “It’s not a matter of will...it’ll be part of the deal...all the union workers...will get back pay.” (12:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Standing Alone in Congress:

  • “Feels that way sometimes...It is a bipartisan spending problem that we have here.” (00:39, 01:33)

• On Simplification in Washington:

  • “A lot of people are at fault for devolving this debate down to maybe a third grade level and not really thinking it through.” (03:59)

• On U.S. Drug Boat Policy:

  • “I don’t think you can have a universal Coast Guard policy of just blowing up boats before they’re interdicted.” (06:33)
  • “We can’t have a policy where we just blow up ships where we don’t even know the people’s names.” (08:00)

• On Socialism by Government Ownership:

  • “I don’t want Republicans or Democrats to own the companies. It’s a terrible idea.” (10:45)

• On Trump:

  • “I still think he’s the best president of our lifetime. Frankly, I would vote for him a million times over...” (11:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Senator Paul’s Fiscal Hawk Position: 00:39 – 02:14
• Health Care Policy and Tariffs: 02:14 – 03:37
• Spending Bill Negotiations and ‘Shutdown’ Rhetoric: 03:37 – 04:15
• Future of Shutdown and Political Strategy: 05:01 – 05:56
• Drug Boat Strikes and Venezuela Policy: 06:13 – 08:00
• War Powers Resolution Announcement: 08:00 – 08:56
• Government Equity Stakes in Companies: 09:08 – 11:05
• Autocracy and Trump: 11:05 – 12:02
• Federal Worker Back Pay: 12:02 – 12:18

Conclusion

Senator Rand Paul provides a characteristically uncompromising perspective on government spending, health care, U.S. actions overseas, and the role of government in private markets—laid bare with skepticism for bipartisan compromise and a clear warning against the encroachment of state power. He stands firm as a dissenter in the Senate, defending his principles and sounding alarms on issues that span fiscal policy, executive overreach, and the limits of government intervention.