Consider This from NPR
Episode: Trump's Spending Cuts Are Hitting Communities of His Supporters
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host: NPR
Overview
In this episode of NPR's Consider This, host Ari Shapiro delves into the unintended consequences of President Trump's recent federal spending cuts. Focusing on communities that predominantly supported Trump, the episode highlights how these reductions are adversely affecting local infrastructure, public services, and overall community well-being. Through interviews with local officials, residents, and experts, the show paints a comprehensive picture of the clash between federal budgetary policies and grassroots realities.
Impact on Rising Sun, Maryland
The episode opens with Calvin Bonenberger, the town administrator of Rising Sun, Maryland, providing a firsthand account of the town's struggles with recurrent flooding. At [01:21], Bonenberger showcases the Sun Valley Mobile Home Park, emphasizing its vulnerability:
"This is all low income housing and the flood level is up to the roof line of all of these properties." [01:21]
Rising Sun had secured two FEMA grants aimed at relocating mobile home residents and upgrading the wastewater treatment system to prevent contamination during heavy rains. However, these funds were abruptly rescinded by the Trump administration, leaving the town in a precarious situation. Bonenberger expresses his frustration:
"Our sewer plant is going to continue to overflow and there has to be money to resolve it. We don't have the money to resolve it. That's what this money is for. This is a no brainer." [02:10]
Despite being a Trump stronghold, Bonenberger criticizes FEMA's decision, labeling the grants as necessary rather than wasteful.
Trump's Spending Cuts: Broader Implications
Ari Shapiro introduces the broader theme of Trump's rapid spending cuts and their widespread impact, even in areas that supported his administration. A recent NPR-PBS NewsMarist poll cited in the episode reveals that while 91% of Trump voters approve of his job performance, nearly 20% are concerned about the hasty nature of his policy changes:
"Nearly one in five Trump voters said the president is rushing to make changes without considering their impact." [04:14]
Case Study: Emmitsburg's National Fire Academy
The episode shifts focus to Emmitsburg, Maryland, another Trump-voting community now grappling with the fallout of federal budget cuts. The National Fire Academy, a cornerstone institution in the town, had its classes abruptly canceled in March, severely impacting the local economy and emergency preparedness.
Calvin Bonenberger provides a visual tour of Emmitsburg at [05:48], highlighting the town's reliance on the academy:
"And the first one that I went to see is the mayor, his name is Frank Davis and he's also a captain at the local firehouse... He saw a lot of waste and voted for Trump in hopes that he would root it out." [05:48]
Frank Davis, the mayor and a former federal employee, voices his disappointment:
"If these cuts are permanent, how will you feel about the administration going forward? Yeah, it will change my outlook to say that they're not being fair, they're not taking a good hard look. They're just going in to cut and not caring what they cut." [09:10]
Dennis O'Neill, former superintendent of the academy, warns of the long-term dangers:
"We're on a very long, slow path to self-destruction. Every day that this training is unavailable to the locals is one day closer to a disaster they can't handle or won't know how to handle." [08:44]
Local business owners, like Susan Glass of Odd House pub, express fears of economic downturns:
"We expect a big drop. I've already told a lot of our employees that, you know, it's a possibility they won't have a job for the summer." [09:08]
Democratic figures, such as U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, criticize the administration's decision:
"There's no good explanation for this because this is a cost-effective program that protects the public across America. The cancellation of classes is extremely short-sighted and dangerous." [10:50]
Public Opinion and Support
Despite the tangible negative impacts, support for Trump remains high among his voter base. Retiree Susan Virginia from Morrison, Colorado, shares her perspective at [04:58]:
"I'm glad that he's moving quickly to do things because his first administration, he didn't know who he could trust and who he couldn't trust."
However, the episode underscores a growing rift between policy implications and voter satisfaction, highlighting the complex dynamics within Trump's support base.
Conclusion and Reflections
Consider This effectively illustrates the paradox where federal policies intended to streamline government spending are inadvertently undermining the very communities that championed such fiscal conservatism. By weaving together personal narratives, expert insights, and statistical data, the episode underscores the importance of considering local impacts when formulating national policies. It serves as a poignant reminder that well-intentioned budget cuts can have far-reaching and sometimes detrimental effects on grassroots communities.
Notable Quotes with Attribution
- Calvin Bonenberger: "This is all low income housing and the flood level is up to the roof line of all of these properties." [01:21]
- Calvin Bonenberger: "Our sewer plant is going to continue to overflow and there has to be money to resolve it. That's what this money is for. This is a no brainer." [02:10]
- Frank Davis: "If these cuts are permanent, how will you feel about the administration going forward? Yeah, it will change my outlook..." [09:10]
- Dennis O'Neill: "We're on a very long, slow path to self-destruction..." [08:44]
- Susan Virginia: "I'm glad that he's moving quickly to do things because his first administration, he didn't know who he could trust..." [04:58]
- Chris Van Hollen: "The cancellation of classes is extremely short-sighted and dangerous." [10:50]
Production Credits
Produced by Connor Donovan and Briana Scott, with audio engineering by Zoe Vangenhoven. Edited by Katherine Laidlaw and Christopher Tallada. Executive Producer: Sami Yenigun.
This episode of Consider This offers a compelling exploration of the intersection between federal policy and local impact, shedding light on the complexities faced by communities navigating the repercussions of national spending cuts.