Trump's Rebate Plan Will Push America Toward a Hyperprogressive Tax Code
The president’s $300 billion tariff rebate plan risks replaying Bush-era giveaways—but on a scale large enough to fuel inflation and deepen the deficit.
Economics
Trump's Steel Tariffs Now Apply to Milk and Hundreds of Other Products That Aren't Steel
It makes little sense, but that's what happens when you give the president unchecked, unilateral tariff powers.
25 Percent of Working Age Brits Are Out of Work. Why Is the U.K. Government Paying Millions To Stay Home?
Britain’s invisible people are caught in a welfare trap.
The Trump Economy Is Now Pay To Play
Plus: Trump talks with Putin in Alaska, federal troops flood D.C., a controversial Bureau of Labor Statistics nominee, and a listener question about the hosts as a band
Trump Promised 'Reciprocal' Tariffs. The Numbers Tell a Different Story.
In most cases, Trump's tariffs are significantly higher than the tariffs charged by other countries on American goods.
The Final Vacation Frontier
For just $55 million, you can book a weeklong vacation on the International Space Station. It's not exactly an all-inclusive beach resort.
Intel Is Reportedly the Latest Company Trump Wants a Piece Of
Since returning to office in January, Trump has floated several deals that would involve the feds taking a piece of an American company.
My New Bulwark Article on Trump's Unconstitutional Export Tax
The article explains why the policy is unconstitutional, but also why it is unlikely to be challenged in court in the near future.
Spirit Airlines May Go Out of Business Because of the Justice Department
The DOJ blocked Spirit's merger with JetBlue in 2024 over concerns about market consolidation, but markets also consolidate when failing firms go bankrupt and exit.
Firing BLS Director Over Weak Jobs Report Is 'Banana Republic' Behavior
If a Democratic president tried to so directly politicize an independent agency, Republicans would be screaming about the coming tyranny.
Soaring Wholesale Prices Mean Higher Inflation Is Coming. Are Tariffs To Blame?
New producer price index data suggests domestic companies are not eating the cost of Trump's tariffs.
Bitcoin in Retirement Accounts Could Be a Good Idea
Trump’s executive order directs the Labor Department to loosen rules on retirement accounts, potentially shifting trillions in savings toward higher-return, but riskier assets like bitcoin.
This Trump Tariff Could Increase America's Trade Deficit
Switzerland might respond to Trump’s double-digit “reciprocal” tariff by canceling its multibillion-dollar F-35 order.
Did MAGA Kill the Tea Party?
Former Rep. Justin Amash and Fox News’ Kennedy join Nick Gillespie to examine how MAGA populism reshaped the Tea Party’s limited-government mission, why Congress no longer acts as a check on power, and what it will take to spark a new libertarian revival.
Americans Misunderstand Social Security but Appear Open to Reform
Younger Americans seem ready to treat the program as a safety net, not a retirement plan.
America's Reliance on Boeing Is a National Security Liability
With over 3,200 workers off the job, the military’s reliance on one politically connected contractor threatens innovation, accountability, and national security.
To Truly Fix Debanking, We Need Structural Reforms
Trump’s new executive order addresses political discrimination in banking, but we need deeper reforms to money-laundering laws and the Bank Secrecy Act to truly protect freedom and privacy.
After Another Delay, Trump's China Tariffs Look Even Less Like a Legitimate 'Emergency'
The words national emergency are not a magic spell that presidents can utter to unlock unlimited legislative powers for themselves.
Tariff Rebate Checks Are a Bad, Inflationary Idea
If Sen. Josh Hawley and the Trump administration want to spare Americans the pain from tariffs, there is a far simpler solution.
Congress Spent At Least $27,500 on Poster Displays in 2 Months. Here Are 4 Ridiculous Examples and 1 Good One.
It's a drop in the bucket compared to the national debt, but any wasteful government spending should be eliminated.
Trump's Tariffs May Soon Make Car Insurance More Expensive
Tariffs on auto parts, meant to "protect America’s automobile industry," make repairs more expensive and drive up the cost of insurance.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Has Learned the Rules for Getting Ahead in Trump's America
When the line between public and private is erased, politics is all about special favors. That's gross.
Here's What Happens to the Economy if Trump Fires Jerome Powell and Installs a Loyalist at the Fed
The Fed should be replaced by free markets, not unbridled presidential power.
The Art of the Empty Trade Deal
Trump’s Japan and E.U. deals offer vague promises and lack the depth and enforceability of the TPP he scrapped.
How Overregulation Burned Out Competition in the Fire Retardant Industry
Companies chose to exit the market rather than deal with the excessive regulations baked into the industry.
Trump's War on Economic Data Is a Dangerous Move for MAGA's Own Agenda
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CBO, and the Fed are far from perfect. But the U.S. needs a statistical system that is modern, agile, and protected from political interference.
Tariffs Are Changing the Game
Plus: Guardian Angels corruption, an insane free-range kids story, and more...
How Protectionist Wine and Liquor Laws Violate the Constitution
The Commerce Clause protects free trade between the states.
Zohran Mamdani's Socialist Vision for New York Is a Recipe for Disaster
Socialism doesn't bring a dignified life. On the contrary, it's wrecked lives wherever it's been tried.
The Libertarian Case for Postmodernism
Political economist Mark Pennington draws on the ideas of Hayek and Foucault to show how expert rule and government surveillance are making it harder for people to think freely and live on their own terms.
Federal Circuit Judges Question Trump's Discovery of Vast Tariff Powers
The president is claiming "unbounded authority" to impose import taxes based on a law that does not mention them.
Ford Paid $800 Million in Tariff Costs Over 3 Months, Despite Building Most of Its Cars in America
That should put an end to the Trump administration's silly talking point about how there is no tariff for products built in the U.S.
The Government Fined This Farm Over $550,000—Mostly for a Paperwork Violation
Joe and Russell Marino will finally get their day in court. The ruling represents a turning of the tide when it comes to the fairness of such proceedings, where agencies have long played both prosecutor and jury.
The New York Times Doesn't Understand Men
Plus: The economic impact of tariffs, ethics concerns around Trump’s foreign business dealings, and a listener question on NCAA deregulation
Firing the Data-Collectors
Plus: IVF about-face, Corporation for Public Broadcasting to shut down, and more...
Capitalism Isn't Why You're Unhappy
Some young adults blame "capitalism" for just about everything. But it's only a convenient scapegoat.
Federal Court Appears Receptive to Arguments Against Unilateral Presidential Tariff Power
President Trump’s invocation of emergency powers to impose tariffs faces skeptical judges.
Wild Animals Are Thriving on South Africa's Private Reserves and Game Farms
Land safeguarded by private industry in South Africa is almost three times greater than land under government protection.
Trump Is Openly Using the Presidency To Enrich the Trump Brand
And generations of allegedly anti-corruption Republicans just don't care.
Hiking Tariffs on Canada, Trump Demands 'Adequate Steps' To Achieve an Impossible Drug War Goal
Canada accounts for a tiny percentage of fentanyl smuggling, which cannot be stopped by trying harder.
The National Debt Is Becoming Your Local Problem
Federal overspending is squeezing states and cities, forcing them to raise taxes, slash services, or pile on more debt.
Are Trump's Tariffs Responding to an Actual Emergency?
If so, then why postpone any enforcement until October?
The War on Trans
Plus: DOGE postmortem, Mamdani's checked out, C.S. Lewis' wisdom for our digital age, and more...
Trump's War on Chocolate: 'There's No Way for Us To Source This Domestically'
American chocolatiers need imports, and tariffs help no one.
My New Dispatch Article on Judicial Review of Emergency Powers
It makes the case for strong judicial review of executive invocations of sweeping emergency powers.
We're Lying to Ourselves About Taxes, Spending, and the Debt
It's time to ask what level of spending Americans truly want with the money we actually have.
