Letters from an American – Episode Summary

Podcast: Letters from an American
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode: Trump’s Broken Promises
Date: April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Heather Cox Richardson offers a critical analysis of President Donald Trump’s recent policies and their consequences, focusing on his 2024 campaign promises versus the present reality. Richardson evaluates the impacts of economic decisions like the imposition of tariffs, the resulting inflation and energy crisis, and Trump’s aggressive foreign policy—especially concerning Iran. She also contextualizes current politics within broader international developments, including Viktor Orbán's defeat in Hungary, the global rise of illiberal democracy, and religious-political clashes involving Pope Leo XIV.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Economic Promises vs. Reality

• Trump’s 2024 Campaign Claims: Trump promised immediate price reductions, mainly targeting energy prices, through high tariffs, deregulation, and tax cuts.
• Tariffs and Inflation: Instead of lowering prices, Trump’s tariffs contributed to surging inflation. By April 2026, inflation hit 3.3% (from 2.4% in February).
  • [01:40] “In mid March, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation was rising. He explained that some big chunk of that—between a half and three quarters—is actually tariffs. So we're looking for progress on that...”
• Illegality of Tariffs: The Supreme Court declared Trump’s tariffs unconstitutional on February 20. Trump then sought to reframe them under an obscure law, Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which has been challenged.
• Financial Fallout: Illegal tariffs have left the U.S. owing $175 billion to importers, accumulating $23 million a day in taxpayer-financed interest.

2. The Impact of the Iran Crisis

• Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Iran closed this critical oil transit route following deadly strikes by the US and Israel, escalating oil prices worldwide.
• US Response: Trump’s administration (VP J.D. Vance, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff) failed to reach an agreement with Iran in Islamabad negotiations; hours later, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were seen at a UFC bout rather than actively managing diplomacy.
  • [06:15] “Trump had said to reporters that he didn't care if the team in Islamabad reached an agreement. ‘We win regardless,’ he said. ‘We've defeated them militarily.’”
• Escalation: Trump announced a military blockade, vowing an “all in and all out” approach to Iran’s oil exports, likening it to the Venezuela blockade but “at a higher level.”
  • [08:33] “We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like and not people they don't like… It’ll be all or none, and that’s the way it is.”

3. Hungary and the Authoritarian Blueprint

• Orban and Project 2025: Trump and MAGA Republicans modeled much of their illiberal, anti-democracy strategy on Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, working to empower a far-right, patriarchal state.
  • [10:00] “MAGA Republicans embraced Orban as the leader of a movement to replace democracy with an authoritarianism…”
• Orban’s Defeat: In a stunning reversal, Hungarians voted Orban’s opposition into a supermajority, signaling a rejection of far-right rule and bolstering support for European liberal democracy.
  • [11:56] “We have liberated Hungary and have taken back our country,” said opposition leader Peter Magyar.
• Blow to MAGA Movement: Trump and Vance, who openly supported Orban, now face the collapse of their European model.

4. Religious Rhetoric and Political Grandstanding

• Clash with Pope Leo XIV: Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV for opposing the administration’s religious framing of the Iran war.
  • [12:54, Trump’s quote]: “I don't want a pope who criticizes the president of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected in a landslide to do, setting record low numbers in crime and creating the greatest stock market in history.”
• Blasphemous Imagery: On Orthodox Easter, Trump posted an image depicting himself as a Christ-figure, leading to public outrage—including condemnation from Marjorie Taylor Greene.
  • [13:23, Greene’s quote]: “It's more than blasphemy, it's an Antichrist spirit.”
• Escalation on Social Media: Moments after, Trump posted an image of a Trump Tower on the moon, deepening perceptions of self-aggrandizement and disconnect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “90 trade deals in 90 days is possible. The boss is going to be the chief negotiator.”
  (Peter Navarro on Fox News, [01:11])

• “Those energy costs are going to continue to skyrocket until the Strait of Hormuz… reopens for traffic.”
  (Economist Heather Long, [04:45])

• “We've defeated them militarily. We win regardless.”
  (Trump, dismissing failure of negotiations, [06:37])

• “We're not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people they like…”
  (Trump on Fox News, [08:47])

• “We have liberated Hungary and have taken back our country.”
  (Peter Magyar, opposition leader, [11:56])

• “God does not bless any conflict… Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”
  (Pope Leo XIV, [12:45])

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:40: Economic background, Trump tariffs, and Supreme Court ruling
• 01:41 – 04:45: Inflation, Federal Reserve’s assessment, impact on consumers and importers
• 04:46 – 08:32: Iran war, gasoline prices, failed negotiations, and U.S. blockade strategy
• 08:33 – 11:56: Blockade details, Orban’s defeat in Hungary, and international reactions
• 11:57 – 13:27: Pope Leo XIV vs. Trump; Trump’s controversial social media posts

Takeaway

Heather Cox Richardson’s episode lays bare the gap between President Trump’s nationalist promises and the actual repercussions felt by Americans and on the global stage. Inflation soars, foreign policy gambits falter, and alliances built on illiberal ideologies crumble abroad. Meanwhile, the episode highlights the growing backlash to Trump’s blending of religious symbolism with political power, drawing sharp divides even among his supporters.