Post Reports: Is Trump Going Back on His Economic Promises?
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Hosted by Aaron Blake, Naftali Bendavid, and Michael Birnbaum

Introduction

In this episode of Post Reports, The Washington Post's daily podcast, host Aaron Blake engages in a deep dive into the evolving economic and foreign policy messaging of former President Donald Trump and his administration. Joined by senior political correspondent Naftali Bendavid and White House correspondent Michael Birnbaum, the panel dissects whether Trump is indeed retracting his economic promises and examines the broader implications for the Republican Party and U.S. foreign relations.

Shift in Trump's Economic Messaging

Naftali Bendavid initiates the discussion by highlighting a noticeable change in Trump's economic rhetoric—from the optimistic promises of a "golden age" to a more sobering emphasis on austerity measures. This shift became apparent a few weeks prior, marked by comments from Cabinet members suggesting that Americans might need to adopt more frugal lifestyles, such as raising backyard chickens due to high egg prices.

• Naftali Bendavid ([02:19]): "People are sort of looking around... thinking, wow, maybe I could get a chicken in my backyard. And it's awesome."

Trump's recent remarks indicate an acknowledgment that citizens may need to endure short-term economic hardships as a trade-off for the long-term benefits promised through tariffs and trade policies.

• Aaron Blake ([03:21]): "Trump has been talking in recent days about the idea that things might get more expensive, but parents will just buy their children fewer dolls or maybe have fewer pencils even."

Impact on the Republican Party

The panel discusses the precarious position of the Republican Party amidst Trump's shifting narrative. Naftali Bendavid points out that while Trump has a loyal base, broader Republican support may wane if economic conditions do not improve swiftly.

• Naftali Bendavid ([07:04]): "He has a very limited grace period... if things don't look a lot better by early next year, when the midterms really start kicking in, I think it's a problem for them."

Michael Birnbaum adds that mixed messaging from different factions within the White House exacerbates the challenge, making it difficult to present a unified stance on economic policies.

• Michael Birnbaum ([08:44]): "They are not themselves unified in terms of what they want to achieve and the story they want to tell."

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich is cited as recognizing the tumultuous effects of Trump's policies.

• Newt Gingrich ([09:38]): "The effects of Trump's policies could be, choppy and confusing for a while."

Foreign Policy Developments

Transitioning to foreign policy, the conversation covers President Trump's meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Contrary to expectations, the meeting was relatively subdued, with Carney firmly rejecting any notions of Canada becoming part of the United States.

• Michael Birnbaum ([16:20]): "Canada is not for sale, that Canadians are not interested in becoming part of the United States."

The hosts analyze the diplomatic finesse displayed by Carney, who managed to correct Trump's misconceptions without escalating tensions.

Immigration Policies and Legal Challenges

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the Trump administration's use of the antiquated Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals without due process. Recent court rulings have challenged and blocked these deportations, raising questions about the administration's legal and political strategies.

• Naftali Bendavid ([18:46]): "Several federal judges... have questioned, challenged, blocked the administration's use of that act as a pretext or rationale to deport a lot of people without due process."

Michael Birnbaum underscores the fundamental legal challenges, emphasizing that due process is a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system.

• Michael Birnbaum ([21:47]): "The administration is, in fact, deporting people who are not citizens, that would seem to be a pretty basic issue of court review."

The wrongful deportation cases, including that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlight the administration's aggressive immigration stance and the ensuing legal battles.

Upcoming Foreign Engagements

Looking ahead, Michael Birnbaum anticipates President Trump's upcoming Middle East trip, noting its unusual nature as it excludes key allies like Israel and includes potential business deals by the Trump Organization.

• Michael Birnbaum ([28:14]): "He’s mostly going to do business deals... planning to build a hotel in Doha, Qatar... not standard fare for how presidents operate."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the complexities and consequences of Trump's shifting economic and foreign policies. The hosts emphasize the tightrope the Republican Party must walk to maintain its base while appealing to a broader electorate amid economic uncertainties and international diplomatic challenges.

Notable Quotes

• Naftali Bendavid ([02:19]): "People are sort of looking around... thinking, wow, maybe I could get a chicken in my backyard. And it's awesome."
• Aaron Blake ([03:21]): "Trump has been talking in recent days about the idea that things might get more expensive, but parents will just buy their children fewer dolls or maybe have fewer pencils even."
• Michael Birnbaum ([21:47]): "The administration is, in fact, deporting people who are not citizens, that would seem to be a pretty basic issue of court review."
• Newt Gingrich ([09:38]): "The effects of Trump's policies could be, choppy and confusing for a while."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of the topics covered without needing to listen to the full podcast.