Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "Trump's Tariffs Are Crushing His Voters"

Release Date: May 2, 2025
Host: The Bulwark Team (Featuring Sarah Longwell and Unnamed Political Analyst)
Episode Title: Trump's Tariffs Are Crushing His Voters

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sarah Longwell delves deep into the repercussions of former President Donald Trump's tariff policies and their impact on his voter base. Joined by an unnamed political analyst, the discussion navigates through the economic strain caused by tariffs, the shifting political landscape, and the broader implications for America's political and social institutions.

Tariffs and Their Impact on Voters

Sarah Longwell opens the conversation by highlighting the immediate effects of Trump's tariff policies on his voters, particularly focusing on the working-class demographic. She states:

"Many of his voters are sitting there saying, I don't know, my guy's saying, this is going to work. So I'm going to wait and see and hope that it works." ([00:48])

Longwell explains that Trump's association with the economy has historically been his strength, but the current economic downturn is eroding his approval ratings. Voters who initially supported Trump in hopes of lower prices are now experiencing the opposite due to imposed tariffs. This demographic, often comprising low to middle-income individuals, finds even minor price increases significantly affect their daily lives.

Key Points:

• Tariffs have led to higher prices, directly affecting Trump's core working-class voters.
• Voters' initial optimism about economic improvements under Trump's policies is fading.
• The economic strain is causing dissatisfaction among voters who feel let down by the administration's handling.

Business Community and Small Business Owners

The discussion then shifts to the effects of tariffs on small business owners, an essential segment of the economy and a pivotal factor in the political landscape.

Unnamed Political Analyst emphasizes:

"Small business owners are an incredibly important, not just part of the economy, but part of the political landscape." ([02:48])

Longwell elaborates on the diverse reasons why Trump supporters back tariffs, ranging from debt reduction to safeguarding American jobs and revitalizing manufacturing. However, she points out the skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of tariffs in achieving these goals:

"You will not accomplish all of those things. I think most people are skeptical you can do any of those things with tariffs." ([03:13])

Key Points:

• Tariffs were initially seen as a tool to boost American industries and reduce national debt.
• Business owners anticipated benefits from deregulation and tax cuts, but tariffs have instead strained their operations.
• The chaotic and mixed messaging from the administration has led to confusion and disappointment among supporters in the business community.

National Security and Institutional Competence

The conversation delves into the broader implications of Trump's administration on national security and the rule of law. Longwell expresses concern over the perceived incompetence and chaotic governance style, which is undermining public trust.

"You take the national security sort of just clownishness, and then on top of that, you have them deporting people who are clearly American citizens... that's where you get the total sense that no one has their hands on the wheel." ([05:00])

She highlights incidents that reflect poorly on the administration's competence, such as the mishandling of classified information and wrongful deportations, which exacerbate the economic frustrations of voters.

Key Points:

• Administrative incompetence is eroding confidence in national security and governance.
• High-profile mistakes, including security breaches and wrongful deportations, contribute to public mistrust.
• The combination of economic strain and governmental mismanagement is leading to a loss of support among voters.

Leadership Void and Civil Society Response

The episode underscores the lack of prominent leaders and institutions standing up against the administration's questionable actions. Longwell laments the silence from critical figures in national security and other key sectors.

"I'm watching the entire civil society... they are knuckling under." ([09:05])

Despite the chaos, there's a notable absence of vocal opposition from influential figures like former generals or former FBI directors, which Longwell finds troubling. She contrasts the current situation with pre-pandemic times when Trump had more robust support from established Republican figures.

Key Points:

• Critical leaders and institutions are not actively opposing the administration's actions.
• The Republican Party has seen a significant shift, with traditional guardrails and influential figures distancing themselves.
• The lack of resistance from civil society institutions contributes to the perception of unchecked chaos within the administration.

Conclusion: The Erosion of Trump's Support Base

As the episode draws to a close, both Longwell and the political analyst reflect on the diminishing support for Trump among his core voters. The combined pressures of economic hardship, administrative incompetence, and the absence of institutional pushback are leading to a potential decline in Trump's political influence.

Longwell encapsulates the sentiment by observing:

"They are going to find themselves the most damaged by this and maybe the most regretful of their choices." ([03:13])

Final Takeaways:

• Trump's tariff policies are backfiring, causing more harm than anticipated to his primary supporters.
• Economic dissatisfaction, coupled with governmental mismanagement, is weakening Trump's position.
• The political landscape is shifting, with traditional supporters feeling betrayed and contemplating their allegiance.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Longwell ([00:48]): "Voters associate him with the tariffs. Many of his voters are sitting there saying, I don't know, my guy's saying, this is going to work."
• Unnamed Political Analyst ([02:48]): "Small business owners are an incredibly important, not just part of the economy, but part of the political landscape."
• Sarah Longwell ([03:13]): "We don't really know why they're doing it. And as a result, like, it can't be all of those things."
• Sarah Longwell ([05:00]): "Any one of those Americans might tolerate if the economy was okay. But if the economy is not okay and you have those things, that's where you get the total sense that no one has their hands on the wheel."

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a comprehensive analysis of how Trump's tariff policies are adversely affecting his supporters, particularly among the working class and small business owners. The discussion highlights the intertwined issues of economic strain, administrative incompetence, and the diminishing role of civil society institutions in holding the administration accountable, painting a bleak picture of the current political climate.