The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Friends,That any of us have to care about the messy breakup of these two malignant narcissists — and that they both individually wield such massive power — is an indictment of our political system and further proves the poisonous influence of Big Money on our democracy. That's today's Coffee Klatch theme. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our survey, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I examine whether the three big political events of this week — Musk's leaving the White House, the U.S. Court of International Trade's striking down Trump's tariffs, and Senate Republicans' being stymied over Trump's so-called “Big Beautiful” (actually Ugly) budget bill — signal the beginning of the end of Trump. Is Elon really gone for good? Are Trump's tariffs in real trouble? Is his Big Ugly bill destined for the political junkyard? We'll probe these and other questions. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, answer our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,V Spehar invited me to join them today to talk about how we should deal with America's aging politicians — our “gerontocracy.” I'm something of an expert on the subject because I've been around politicians for over 50 years. Also I'm getting up there (I'll be 79 years old soon). And I recently retired from teaching because I didn't want to give students anything less than my best. So I know how difficult it is to give up a job you love. But, as I mention to V, we need a system that allows the relatively few old people who continue to do wonderfully well — look at Bernie Sanders, at the spry age of 83; I know few people half his age with as much energy and intelligence — to keep at it. We discuss the possible answers, and much more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,One of my favorite people in the world is the Reverend Dr. William Barber, whose moral and strategic insights at this horrific moment in our nation's history are invaluable. I asked him to join me today to talk about what all of us can do to unite people in America in pursuit of social justice and against Trump. Barber is a Protestant minister, social activist, professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, president and senior lecturer at Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. He also serves as a member of the national board of the NAACP, and is the chair of its legislative political action committee. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends, Today Heather and I look at the Trump regime's decision to bar international students from Harvard and ask, what's the difference between a neofascist diktat and Trump's orders? As in fascism, Trump arbitrarily targets particular institutions and people, then takes away their freedoms for no reason other than that they've opposed the regime. (In recent days, the regime has also charged, investigated, or threatened to investigate Kamala Harris, Letitia James, Andrew Cuomo, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, James Comey, unnamed “treasonous” Biden aides, the Kennedy Center, and the city of Chicago.)At the same time, as in authoritarian systems, Trump has openly and eagerly accepted personal gifts in return for unspecified favors — including money (mostly from foreign sources) for his crypto business and that $400 million Qatar “palace in the sky” (which the regime accepted this week, but which will be for Trump's personal use). Under Trump — as in neofascism — the boundary between his personal, arbitrary, unconstrained power and the power of the state is obliterated. So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I look into the schemes that Trump and the people around him are using to make themselves rich at the expense of the American people — starting with Trump's business trip this week to the oil-rich kingdoms of the Middle East. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a deep dive into the most corrupt presidential administration in history. We look in detail at Trump's crypto deals designed to enrich him and his family and milk the presidency, and Musk's deals to enrich himself by, for example, having the State Department push other nations to use his Starlink satellites. The stench from these and other examples of self-dealing is worse by the day — even as the regime cuts programs most Americans depend on in order to make room in the federal budget for another giant tax cut disproportionately benefiting big corporations and the super-rich. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I examine the outlook for Trump, the Trump White House, Congress, and the economy. Now that we've finished the first hundred days, where does America go from here? Is there room for hope? I'm more optimistic than Heather because I believe opposition to Trump is growing. And it will become even larger if Trump and Republicans in Congress cut programs most Americans depend on in order to make space in the federal budget for a tax cut that disproportionately benefits the rich and big corporations. Heather is less optimistic. So it's one of the klatches where we disagree. Hope you find it informative nonetheless. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I take a look at the shi*tstorm of Trump's first hundred days (which doesn't officially conclude until Wednesday), and ask what happened, why it's so horrible, and how we're likely to look back on it. Along the way, we examine whether its major theme has been chaos or cruelty, what's happened to the economy, and why Trump's polls are taking a dive. In sharp contrast, we also discuss the legacy of Pope Francis. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a deep dive into Trump's three escalating confrontations — with Harvard University, China, and the Supreme Court — and ask what Trump's strategy might be. He can't “win” any of these because Harvard, China, and the Supreme Court are all large and powerful enough to force him to blink, but nor can he afford to “lose” and maintain his credibility as an invincible force. So what will he do?Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into this week's wild ride in the stock and bond markets — why it occurred and what it means. Ten and a half weeks ago, the American and world economies were in fairly good shape, but now there's a serious risk of what's called “stagflation.” Tens of millions of people could be seriously hurt. And even more will be hurt if the Republican budget plan goes through, cutting Medicaid and/or Medicare and/or Social Security. So what should be done? What should Democrats do? How will all this end? Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, please take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a look at the economic emergency Trump created this week with his gargantuan tariffs on imports. It's the largest peacetime tax hike in American history — and one that keeps rising as other countries retaliate by raising tariffs on our exports to them. It's all based on another Trump lie — this one, that the tariffs will cause global corporations to create good manufacturing jobs in America. But, as Heather and I discuss, the major reason our manufacturing jobs paid so well from the 1950s through the 1970s was that most manufacturing workers were in unions. That gave them bargaining power to demand high wages. This is no longer the case. Not only have unions been clobbered by Trump, Musk, and their billionaire buddies, but new AI-powered technologies will eliminate the need for most manufacturing workers to begin with. Talk about a manufactured crisis!Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I assess how far the Trump regime is falling — starting with this week's “Signalgate” fiasco, the regime's increasing detention of international students without due process of law, wildly unconstitutional executive orders, brainless tariffs, and coming assault on Greenland (of all places). We also take a look at how voters seem to be responding — overwhelmingly against Trump and Musk — and ask if the Trump fever is finally breaking. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our survey, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I delve into the forces holding Trump back — specifically, the federal courts, Rupert Murdoch's New York Post, and Republican constituents in Republican town halls. Which of these, if any, is likely to be most effective over the long term in preventing Trump and Musk from doing their worst? We also have a special guest — Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who this week was illegally fired by Trump for no reason other than … well, we'll talk with her about that. Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a deep dive into the Trump regime's efforts to suppress free speech on university campuses in America, starting with the detention of a Columbia University graduate student for no reason other than his beliefs and his participation in peaceful demonstrations that the regime disapproves of. We then zoom out to the larger story of the Trump-Musk attack on American universities, and the simultaneous crackdown on dissent by the American oligarchy with power over social and mainstream media (Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Rupert Murdoch, and others). Where is the opposition? Heather and I then assess why the Democratic Party is so supine — and why Chuck Schumer in particular is so willing to surrender to Trump and Musk — even in light of Trump and Musk's wanton destruction of the government and the devastating economic consequences of Trump's tariffs. Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Michael is filling in for Heather today (thank you, Michael, and we miss you, Heather). Michael and I assess week 7 of this horrendous regime, starting with Trump's interminable speech and ending with his decision to pull back from imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, after the stock market nearly tanked. We also examine the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to rein in Trump, congressional Republican resistance to Musk's “chainsaw” cuts, and the beginnings of a Democratic backbone to resist Trump. Bottom line: The Trump “honeymoon” is over. Michael is almost exactly a half-century younger than I am, so we end with a discussion of Gen Z and its views and fears. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, fill out our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I discuss Trump's and Vance's disgraceful treatment of Ukraine President Zelensky in the Oval Office yesterday — a man who for more than three years has courageously held off Putin's aggression, maintained the will of the Ukrainian people, and risked his life to contain the Russian dictator. Trump did this to undermine Zelensky's heroic image in the eyes of the American people so that when Trump bows to Putin's demands for Ukraine, Republicans in Congress will have a fig leaf of justification. Make no mistake: The emergence of the Trump-Putin axis is the most cynical and dangerous change in American foreign policy in 80 years.Also on our agenda today: Musk's DOGE meltdown. The House Republican budget that's taking from the poor and vulnerable to reward the rich and privileged. Jeff Bezos and the shamelessness of America's oligarchy under Trump. Plus some reasons for hope. Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I assess the fifth week of the regime, when Trump took America over to the dark side by endorsing Vladimir Putin's narrative of how the Ukraine war began and why Europe should defend itself rather than be an ally of the United States.We also have as our special guest Rohit Chopra, the former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who was fired by Trump at the same time Trump imposed on the CFPB a stop order that closed much of it down. Chopra was recently described by Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase, the largest bank in the United States, as “an arrogant, out-of-touch, son-of-a-b***h who just made things worse for a lot of Americans.” I consider Dimon's condemnation a strong endorsement of Chopra. (And for the record, I think Jamie Dimon is an arrogant, out-of-touch robber baron who has made things far worse for a lot of Americans — and will shaft even more people now that Rohit Chopra has been fired by Trump.) Whether the choice is posed by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Jamie Dimon, or Elon Musk, the question is the same: Do we want democratic capitalism or oligarchy? Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, nearing the end of the fourth week of the Trump-Vance-Musk regime, Heather and I assess Musk's Oval Office press conference — in which he accused federal employees of dishonesty but provided no evidence — and analyze Musk's own dishonesty and conflicts of interest. We also examine Trump's promise in the 2024 election to bring prices down, in light of new evidence of inflation. We also delve into Trump's Justice Department, and the revolt by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and five other senior attorneys against orders that they drop charges against New York City's mayor and thereby compromise the integrity of the department. So grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I assess week 3 of the Trump regime — a week marked by Trump's bonkers talk about turning Gaza into a riviera tourist destination by removing all Gazans and setting up “beautiful” beachfront resorts, and by Elon Musk's almost total takeover of the federal government, including the destruction of USAID.Where is this heading? What's the meaning of “law” in this lawless environment? Are there any signs that Democrats and other are fighting back? Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I assess the first two weeks of Trump II, the damage he's done to individuals and to democratic institutions, and what decent people can do to fight back. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Some pundits are saying that Trump II is basically just a rehash of Trump I. Heather and I are here to tell you they're wrong. Trump II is far worse. Today we discuss Week 1: Trump's cruel and unconstitutional executive orders; his use of active duty military at the border; his pardons to the 1,500 thugs who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, at Trump's behest; Elon Musk's nods and winks to neo-Nazis; and Trump's conspicuous alliance with the richest oligarchs in America. The underlying question we ask is: What's Trump's real second-term agenda?So grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I look at the last week of the Biden administration and ahead to the first week of Trump's. What can the confirmation hearings tell us about what to expect? What was the real significance of Biden's “farewell” address? Will it be fascism or oligarchy, or both? And, by the way, what should we take away from the imminent end to TikTok? Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Note: I'm reposting this edition of The Coffee Klatch as there seem to have been delivery issues and many people have reported not receiving it. Apologies to anyone receiving this late, or twice.Friends,Today we talk about the L.A. fires, the human disaster as well as its connection to climate change, as well as the firestorm of dangerous and nasty misinformation about it on X, and the future of places like L.A. that are subject to climate disasters.Also: Trump — the first president to enter office as a convicted felon — has a news conference that shows how bonkers he is. And Mark Zuckerberg joins Elon Musk to allow vicious lies on his giant platform. We are witnessing a takeover by a small number of hugely wealthy people who will control the information we get and control our government. And it's blatant. So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join our discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today we talk about the L.A. fires, the human disaster as well as its connection to climate change, as well as the firestorm of dangerous and nasty misinformation about it on X, and the future of places like L.A. that are subject to climate disasters.Also: Trump — the first president to enter office as a convicted felon — has a news conference that shows how bonkers he is. And Mark Zuckerberg joins Elon Musk to allow vicious lies on his giant platform. We are witnessing a takeover by a small number of hugely wealthy people who will control the information we get and control our government. And it's blatant. So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join our discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Yesterday, Michael Johnson was voted in (barely) as speaker by the new Republican-controlled Congress. This Monday, Kamala Harris will preside over Congress to certify the electoral vote, making Donald Trump the next president. The last time Congress met to certify an electoral vote, it was invaded by Trump supporters who threatened the lives of all members along with the Capitol Police, at Trump's urging. But instead of being held accountable, Trump is about to become president. The person who is also unaccountable for wielding power — although in a very different way from Trump — is Elon Musk. He's the richest person in the world; spent a quarter of a billion dollars getting Trump elected; and has the world's largest megaphone, through which he is amplifying lies in support of right-wing parties and candidates around the world, and by which he blew up a bipartisan compromise on the federal budget that not incidentally barred him from working on Artificial Intelligence with the Chinese. We talk about all this and more on today's Klatch. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today we explore how and why the United States government nearly shut down — due to the ineptitude of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and right-wing House Republicans. The shutdown was averted, but a significant number of Republicans deserted Trump.Is this a preview of the chaos we're likely to see over the next four years? Why does an unelected multi-billionaire have so much power? Will Johnson survive? Why did Trump insist on raising the debt ceiling? And whatever happened to the Biden administration, which is still technically in office? Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Heather couldn't join us today, so I asked two other colleagues to join today's conversation. We discuss Time magazine's decision to name Trump “Man of the Year,” Trump's decision to name several more questionable people to his upcoming administration, why the murderer of the CEO of United Healthcare has emerged as something of a folk hero, and other contentious topics. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Michael joins Heather and me to discuss ways in which Americans seem to be “raging against the machine.” We begin with the tragic shooting death of the CEO of United Healthcare, which unleashed a surprising lack of sympathy on social media — “thoughts and deductibles to the family,” wrote one commentator, “unfortunately my condolences are out-of-network,” wrote another. We explore whether this lack of sympathy is related to a larger social and political upheaval against the “establishment” — big institutions that are no longer trusted by much of the public, including gigantic corporations like United Healthcare, Wall Street financial firms, and much of the federal government. And if so, is this upheaval related to the election of Donald Trump?Which leads to a discussion of the extraordinary wealth of Trump's Cabinet and White House picks so far. Even not counting Elon Musk, this is by far the wealthiest bunch ever to populate a U.S. administration. Hardly an anti-establishment crowd. In fact, how can this group ever know what Americans want or need? Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Heather and I thought today a good one to seek silver linings in the darkening clouds over America, so we've dedicated this Thanksgiving week coffee klatch to the proposition that we're not going to be living in Trump's America. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I ask whether Trump has a mandate (spoiler alert: the answer is no). We also take a close look at his new pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, and ask whether she's more likely to regard the American people or Trump as her client (answer: Trump). And what is Elon Musk really going to try to do in his position as unofficial Secretary of Cutting Government Waste?Finally, we examine what Democrats should do to fight back. And who speaks for the Democrats now, anyway? Where are the Democrats?Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Like all authoritarians, Trump wants us to become so hopeless that we give up. Well, guess what? We're not giving up. He can flood the zone all he wants with gonzo nominations — a Fox News host to lead the Defense Department, a sex trafficking clown to lead the Justice Department, a Russian troll to become Director of National Intelligence, a conspiratorial fanatic to run the Department of Heath and Human Services — but we will go on fighting, even harder than before. Today, Heather and I discuss what Trump is doing and why, and how to stop him. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Like many of you, I've been wrestling with grief, fear, and anger. The outcome of the election was far worse than I had feared. On today's Klatch, Heather, Michael, and I take a deep dive into what happened and why. We also ask: What do we do now? I don't have all the answers, but I believe Heather, Michael, and I are at least asking the right questions. We're eager to have your thoughts as well. Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, take our poll (if you wish), and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, with the election just three days away, Heather, Michael, and I take a deep dive into the Trump Republican Party. We look at its malicious misogyny — why it exists, how it will harm women, how it's communicated, and what its electoral result is likely to be. We also look at the party's obsession about voter fraud — which is extraordinarily rare but gives Trump and his lapdogs an excuse to demonize Democrats, Harris, immigrants, and the all-purpose “them.”Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our survey, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,The election is nine days away, and there's a good chance we won't know the outcome until days or possibly weeks beyond. On Tuesday, Harris will be giving her final message to America, at the same place on the Washington mall where Trump held his rally on January 6, 2021. Heather and I discuss what that final message ought to be. We also examine why Trump is gaining ground in almost every poll, not just in the battleground states but even in the popular vote. And we ask how best to get through the anxieties of the next nine days and also (perish the thought) if Trump should be elected. So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I discuss why we're optimistic about the election, just over two weeks away. Harris is showing more of her strengths as she subjects herself to interview after interview (including on Fox News). Trump is revealing more of his instability, as he calls the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol “a day of love,” talks about using the military on his political opponents, and continuously veers into incoherence.Meanwhile, the economy continues to improve — more jobs, higher real wages, and lower interest rates. Harris is also gaining support of former Republican leaders. At the same time, many of Trump's former Cabinet officers and White House staff have come out against him. Trump is planning to top off his campaign with a large rally at Madison Square Garden — echoing a Nazi rally that occurred at the same location in February 1939, in which the theme was “America First.” Please pour yourself a cup, pull up a chair, take our poll, and join the conversation. Thanks again for joining us. If you'd like our whole package and would also like to support our work, please consider a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I assess the election outlook, specifically the widening gender gap, which is turning into a gender chasm. American women are overwhelmingly for Harris; men (especially those without college degrees) are overwhelmingly for Trump. Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Trump have become the nation's most dangerous bromance. Each wants what the other possesses: Trump wants vast wealth and a social media platform that reaches billions; Musk wants more power. Beware.We also explore whether voters who say they “still don't know enough” about Kamala Harris are hiding their own misogyny and racism.Please pull up a chair, join our conversation, and take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,This morning, Heather and I explore the biggest issues of the week: the remarkably good economy (September's jobs report, out yesterday, was about the best you could possibly hope for); the VP debate last Tuesday; special counsel Jack Smith's additional revelations about January 6; and Hurricane Helene. And, of course, we'll assess what all this means for the upcoming election (a bit over four weeks away) and whether there will be an “October surprise” for Harris or Trump, and, if so, what it might be. Please pull up a chair, grab a cup, fill out our survey, and join us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today is the third anniversary of the launch of this newsletter community, and I want to thank you.Three years ago today I posted my first daily letter, not knowing who would be out there to receive it. Heather Lofthouse egged me on. (A special thanks to her, as well. And to Alessandra Bosco, whose gimlet eye has caught misspellings and grammatical mistakes I'm too embarrassed to admit, and to Michael Lahanas-Calderón, for his technical help.)I wanted to key off current news but didn't want this to be a mere summary of what's happened. I wanted to provide context and background. Connect the dots. Expose the uses and abuses of power. A few naysayers told me it was impossible to do this every day, seven days a week, and I shouldn't even try. It is sometimes difficult. But you have responded beyond my wildest dreams, sustaining and inspiring me. I've been amazed by how many of you have embraced this letter and formed a community around it. I've been delighted by the thoughtfulness of your comments. I've been humbled that some of you are “taking” my 13-part UC Berkeley course on Wealth and Poverty, or following my series on economic myths needing debunking, on the common good, and on the Roots of Trumpism. I'm thrilled that so many of you enjoy Heather's and my weekly coffee klatch podcasts, our presidential (and soon-to-come, vice-presidential) debate watch-alongs. And my Sunday caption contests — to which some of you have contributed fabulously memorable captions. “And that's why there's no 45 button in elevators anymore.” ***I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this possible — for making this such a civil and insightful community and for your financial support to sustain this effort.A few of you worry that I'm “preaching to the converted” and not reaching the people who need to be reached — people whose democratic convictions are wavering and who are attracted to Trump and Trumpism. I sometimes worry about this, too.Yet most of you share my belief that we must know the truth if we are to effectively persuade others. And that it's vitally important that we spread the truth about the threats to the common good, to our democracy, and to our planet. And that in these perilous times it helps to know we are not alone. In fact, we are the majority.But I'm not going to sugarcoat it: The 2024 election scares the hell out of me. Even if Trump is defeated, the months or even years following the election will not be easy. Trump supporters will not just go away. Nor will the forces that fuel them. The Trump criminal trials — if they occur, and they must — will test the nation. On the other hand, if Trump wins the election or prevails in its aftermath, democracy and the rule of law are likely to be more endangered than the first time he took office. In either case, it will be more urgent than ever that we know the truth, spread the truth, and feel the strength of community.All of this feeds my determination to keep going.America is threatened both by lies from the authoritarian foes of democracy and by increasing amounts of big money in our politics from corporations and the ultra-wealthy. I promise to keep standing up to these forces (including the richest man in the world, no matter how many names he calls me). In the next 12 months, I'll provide more content. More analyses. More critiques of the ultra-wealthy who are turning their wealth into political power. More personal history bearing on what's happening today. More podcasts and drawings. My goal is to keep this community going for everyone who wants to read, listen, and contribute, each day.But please don't feel compelled to pay to be a part of it. These are tough times for so many.That said, if you can support us to keep generating new content, we welcome it. If you'd like to become a paid subscriber with access to everything we're doing, great. A founding supporter, enormous thanks. Give a gift subscription, wonderful.We do need help to sustain this effort. Your contribution allows us to post the vast majority of content without a paywall and ensures we keep getting the message out.On to year four? You betcha. All best,Robert ReichIf you are a free subscriber and can afford a paid subscription, please consider supporting this venture. Paid subscribers allow us to continue to build and experiment while keeping most of our content free and open. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,It was quite a debate and quite a week. Today, Heather and I look back on both and do our best to peer into the future. What effect will the debate have on undecided voters? What does Kamala Harris need to do in the remaining weeks? What will Trump do? Why is Trump refusing a second debate with Harris?We also examine the consequences of Taylor Swift's endorsement (and Elon Musk's grade-school bully boy response). And we take a look at yesterday's 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. So pull up a chair and join us. And please take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I examine the upcoming Tuesday night debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The American public knows Trump. He has forced himself into our minds for the last decade in every possible way. Yet much of the public doesn't yet know Harris. Before Biden bowed out on July 21, she was a vice president who, like every vice president before her, was almost invisible.Heather and I discuss whether it's most important for her to define herself as strong and competent or define Trump as weak and incompetent? Emphasize law and order, while suggesting Trump is unlawful and disordered? Bait Trump into losing control? We also discuss the Trump trials, the U.S. economy, and other issues that have a bearing.Please pull up a chair, grab a cup, take our poll, AND make a note on your calendars that Heather and I will host a watch-along of Tuesday's debate, which you'll find right here on this Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Sharing is the key — with friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Especially (but not exclusively) those who live in the “swing” states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Nothing is more powerful than an encouragement from you to get the facts and spread the truth. Please do your part. We must win this. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Many of you ask me what you can do to help ensure that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are elected on November 5, and that the House and Senate have majorities in support of economic and social justice. In previous posts I've given you some ammunition — correcting some of Trump's and Vance's whoppers (such as Vance's assertion last week that Trump's tariffs generated revenue for America and created jobs), showing what Trump and his Republican lapdogs want to do if given the chance, and offering suggestions for what you personally can do in this critical election. Starting next Friday, September 6, I'll post here on my Substack a “video of the week,” produced by me and my talented young team of videographers, graphic artists, researchers, and writers at Inequality Media Civic Action — giving you facts, frameworks, and analyses to convince others why they should vote for Harris and Walz and down-ballot Democrats. Research shows that our videos have changed peoples' minds on critical issues — even the minds of Trumpers. So by sharing each weekly video with your family, friends, and acquaintances, you'll be helping the cause. Please watch for our Spreading the Truth about the 2024 Election series, beginning here on my Substack, Friday, September 6. My thanks again for your help and support. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I look at the real significance of this week's Democratic convention — how well did it introduce Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to America? How powerfully did it set them up for the election? How effectively did it trounce Trump? And we look ahead to the debate on September 10 and Trump's likely strategy between now and Election Day.Please join us, grab a cup, pull up a chair, and take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,On Thursday, Trump was supposed to have had a press conference on the economy. Instead, it turned into another one of his rambling, incoherent rants against Kamala. On Friday, Kamala pointed the way to a new economy. Trump continues to melt down; she continues to surge upward. Today Heather and I compare Kamalanomics and its focus on corporate power with the garbage economics Trump is peddling — at least when he's not attacking Kamala — including his bonkers idea to eliminate taxes on Social Security. Please grab a cup, pull up a stool, and join us. Also, please take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I examine the extraordinary positive energy released by Kamala Harris and her pick for vice president, Tim Walz. And the apparent inability of Trump and JD Vance to fight back — leading to Trump's disastrous news conference on Thursday in which he seemed more unhinged than ever.Please pull up a chair, join the discussion, and take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,This morning, Heather and I drill down into this week's misogynistic and racial stumbles of Trump and Vance and this second week of Kamala Harris's extraordinary campaign. We explore whether Trump will dump Vance in favor of Nikki Haley or Elise Stefanik. And whether Kamala Harris will come down against big corporations that continue to keep prices high. Please join us, and take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Well, maybe not yet. But he's on the way to being toast. Today, roughly 100 days before the 2024 election, Heather and I assess the first extraordinary week of Kamala Harris's remarkable campaign — what she's done, how she's done it, what it will mean for Trump and JD Vance, and what it can mean for America and the world. Please join us and take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I assess the Democratic and Republican parties at a particularly dispiriting point, when the Republicans have coronated Trump, who is taking a wide lead in polls over Biden. Anything can happen between now and Election Day, but at this point things look grim. Will Biden drop out in favor of Kamala Harris? Will Trump stumble? Will America come to its senses? Please join us as we discuss these and other related issues. And, if you're so inclined, please take our poll. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into Biden's choices now, after last night's interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos and yesterday's Biden rallies. Is Biden back on track? Has he recovered from last week's bad debate performance? Or are the forces within the Democratic Party that want another candidate for president building to the point where he will almost certainly drop out? And if he drops out, whom will he anoint? Please pull up a chair and join us and, if you wish, take our poll: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Good morning! Between the Supreme Court's naked power grab and the debate debacle, it's been a rough week. Heather Lofthouse of Inequality Media Civic Action and I break it all down in this week's Coffee Klatch. Please pour yourself a cup of coffee (or something stronger) and join us. And if you wish, take our poll. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe