The Next Level Podcast: "Trump's Economy in Peril" - March 6, 2025
In this episode of The Next Level podcast by The Bulwark, hosts Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last (JVL) delve deep into the ramifications of former President Donald Trump's recent speech to Congress, dissect the current state of the U.S. economy, and explore the evolving dynamics of international relations, particularly concerning Ukraine and Russia. The conversation is both insightful and engaging, filled with sharp political analysis and candid banter.
1. Trump's Speech to Congress: A Mixed Bag
The discussion kicks off with the trio's assessment of Trump's latest address to Congress. JVL opens the dialogue, highlighting the contractual obligation to discuss the speech.
Sarah Longwell provides a critical view:
"He lied and he was terrible and he sounds like a moron. And also it was like fan service up and down." (00:50)
She points out that while Trump addressed various topics, his treatment of the economy was notably lacking in substance, primarily shifting blame onto President Joe Biden without offering substantial solutions.
Tim Miller adds a personal touch, admitting he missed parts of the speech:
"I fell asleep during the speech. Literally just passed out with his voice in the background..." (00:50)
Nevertheless, he acknowledges the effectiveness of Sarah's postgame analysis.
2. The State of the Economy: Biden vs. Trump
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the U.S. economy under both Biden and Trump administrations. Sarah argues that despite Trump's attempts to depict the economy as faltering under Biden, the reality remains unchanged:
"Trump is vulnerable here, but Trump has not ruined the economy in this short period of time. It is not very different from Joe Biden's economy." (04:02)
JVL counters sharply:
"It's worse. It is worse. Just objectively it's worse." (04:17)
They discuss high inflation, grocery prices, and the cost of living, emphasizing that Trump's handling has not substantially deviated from Biden's economic policies, thereby not providing voters with a compelling reason to switch allegiance based on economic performance alone.
3. Social Issues and Political Venturing
The hosts touch upon Trump's focus on social issues, particularly trans sports, critiquing his approach as misguided and superficial. Sarah remarks on Trump's ability to cater to what Americans prioritize but criticizes the lack of depth in his economic discussions.
Tim humorously suggests:
"Stand outside and throw tomatoes at JVL on the way out." (00:25)
This light-hearted moment underscores the trio's camaraderie amidst serious discussions.
4. Democratic Strategies: Town Halls and Media Engagement
Transitioning to Democratic tactics, the conversation highlights the Republican National Committee's (NRCC) decision to halt town halls to avoid negative optics. Sarah advocates for Democrats to actively engage with constituents through town halls in every congressional district:
"Democrats should hold town halls in every, every congressional district in America." (15:17)
Tim concurs, emphasizing the importance of Democrats not shying away from direct engagement, even if it means facing criticism or hostility from constituents.
5. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Media Strategy
The hosts discuss AOC's approach to bypass traditional speeches by engaging directly with audiences via new media platforms. Tim critiques the blending of different personas in AOC's media appearances:
"I just like, I like it as a strategy. I don't think that there's any reason to go to this thing. The whole thing is kind of farcical." (09:09)
Sarah adds that while AOC showcases strong discourse skills, she remains skeptical about the effectiveness of such strategies in the long run.
6. Ukraine-Russia Conflict and U.S. Involvement
A substantial segment is dedicated to the U.S.'s stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. JVL expresses concern over recent developments where the Trump administration reportedly ceased intelligence sharing and weapon shipments to Ukraine:
"We are telling NATO allies what to do with intelligence. And, I mean, I guess I'm happy that we aren't sharing intelligence formally with the Russians yet." (26:42)
Sarah elaborates on the disconnect between public perception and actual U.S. support for Ukraine, highlighting misconceptions among American voters:
"The American people are losing their patience... They think the money's going there, they think there's money laundering." (31:43)
The hosts debate the implications of these policies, questioning whether Trump's actions are driven by a desire to undermine NATO and realign U.S. international alliances.
7. Tariffs and Trade Policies
The conversation shifts to the topic of tariffs, with Sarah and Tim dissecting Trump's inconsistent approach:
"He exempted automobiles... Just people, because I." (53:07)
They discuss the impact of tariff carve-outs on industries like automotive and the broader economic ramifications, debating whether Trump's unilateral power in determining tariffs is sustainable or beneficial in the long term.
8. Speculations on Trump's Political Future and 2028
In the latter part of the episode, the hosts speculate on Trump's political ambitions beyond his presidency, particularly focusing on his 2028 prospects:
Lindsey Graham's tweet praising Trump's State of the Union performance and hinting at a 2028 run becomes a talking point:
"Lindsey Graham tweeted that Donald Trump's performance in the State of the Union was fantastic. And he concluded his Tweet with Trump 2028." (55:52)
Tim and Sarah discuss the likelihood of Trump's resurgence, considering the current economic challenges and declining public support, suggesting that economic collapse could severely undermine his chances.
9. Concluding Insights
The episode wraps up with reflections on the complexity of U.S. politics, the interplay between economic policies and voter sentiments, and the unpredictable nature of Trump's political maneuvers. Sarah emphasizes the importance of accurate reporting and representation of voter sentiments to prevent misinterpretation by the media:
"I was very careful about being like, this is the very beginning of a kind of buyer's remorse. Not people being like, boy, I wish I'd voted for Democrats." (62:35)
The hosts leave listeners with thoughtful considerations on the current political landscape, urging a nuanced understanding of voter behavior and policy impacts.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump's Recent Speech: Lacking substantive economic strategies, primarily emphasizing blame on Biden.
- Economic Performance: No significant improvement under Trump compared to Biden; high inflation and cost of living remain pressing issues.
- Democratic Engagement: Importance of proactive town halls to counteract Republican strategies of avoiding negative optics.
- International Relations: Concerns over reduced U.S. support for Ukraine and its implications for NATO and global alliances.
- Trade Policies: Inconsistent tariff implementations potentially harming economic stability.
- Political Future: Economic challenges may hinder Trump's prospects for a 2028 presidential run.
This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the current political and economic challenges facing the United States, providing listeners with a deep dive into the strategies and implications of recent actions by key political figures.