Robert Reich

Abdul El-Sayed’s victory over Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic primary is presented as evidence that voters want Democrats who will openly confront Donald Trump, corporate power and billionaire influence. The result is framed not as a takeover by democratic socialists but as a response to authoritarianism and an affordability crisis that Reich links to tax cuts, deregulation, monopolization and corporate influence. He argues that Democratic mega-donors must choose between supporting democracy and an economy serving the broader public or backing a system that benefits a wealthy minority.

Robert Reich argues that Donald Trump’s nominees Todd Blanche, Erica Schwartz and Jay Clayton have demonstrated that loyalty to Trump conflicts with personal integrity. He criticizes Blanche’s allegiance to Trump, Schwartz’s qualification of her commitment to science, and Clayton’s refusal to acknowledge Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Drawing comparisons with Lindsey Graham and Trump’s admiration for Roy Cohn, Reich concludes that officials who prioritize loyalty over honesty cannot be trusted to serve the American public.

Trump’s confrontational behavior at the Nato summit is portrayed as part of a broader pattern in which he gains power by disregarding norms, rules and laws. His willingness to violate established standards forces other leaders to treat him cautiously out of fear of unpredictable retaliation. This norm‑shattering approach is argued to grant him significant personal advantage while leaving US and global institutions weakened. The long‑term consequence is described as a costly rebuilding of trust and structural protections once he leaves office.

Trump is using accusations of communism against Democrats as the midterms approach because he cannot point to successes on the economy, foreign policy or immigration. The tactic echoes mid‑20th‑century red‑baiting associated with Joe McCarthy, whose fall from grace is recounted alongside Trump’s connection to Roy Cohn. Polls show younger Americans increasingly supportive of socialist ideas and more concerned about authoritarianism than communism. Rising Democratic figures are described as focused on corporate power and corruption, diminishing the effectiveness of Trump’s rhetoric.

Trump’s request for FIFA to overturn Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension is portrayed as an abuse of presidential power that undermines trust in both the sport and the United States. The intervention is framed as part of a broader pattern of disregarding rules and manipulating outcomes, damaging the integrity of the game and echoing past controversies tied to Trump’s conduct.

Financial disclosures show Trump earned over $2.2bn last year, much of it linked to cryptocurrency ventures, real estate deals with foreign governments and stock trades timed around his own policy announcements. Friendly regulators and legislative pushes benefited his crypto holdings, while foreign entities, particularly in the Middle East, delivered major payments and gifts, including a jet from the Qatari royal family. The scale and nature of these financial gains raise concerns about corruption and the impossibility of discerning whether his policies serve the public or his personal interests. With no future campaigns and diminished accountability, he is portrayed as prioritizing personal enrichment while dismissing conflicts of interest.

Alan Greenspan’s death prompts a sharp reassessment of his influence over U.S. economic policy, highlighting his role in deregulation and decisions that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis. Robert Reich recounts Greenspan’s immense power over presidents, his commitment to deficit reduction and anti‑inflation policy, and his resistance to regulating banks and derivatives. The piece contrasts Greenspan’s charm with the damaging consequences of his free‑market ideology while reflecting on his interactions with political leaders and the long‑term impact of his policies.

Musk’s trillion‑dollar wealth surge from SpaceX’s IPO is described as a product of hype, self‑dealing, and regulatory favoritism rather than market fundamentals. SpaceX’s valuation and governance structure are portrayed as arbitrary exercises of Musk’s control, aided by regulatory decisions that strengthened his satellite dominance. Changes to major stock index rules are said to force retirement and pension funds to invest in SpaceX, inflating its value and exposing ordinary investors to risk while allowing insiders to sell early. The IPO is framed as emblematic of deep structural flaws in American capitalism.

Mounting concerns over Donald Trump’s physical and mental fitness intensify as he approaches age 80, highlighted by frequent medical visits, inconsistent explanations about his health, and increasingly erratic behavior. Signs of cognitive decline and volatile decision-making raise fears about his ability to handle presidential responsibilities, particularly during international crises. His rhetoric against various groups, including Somali Americans and the pope, further underscores instability. Growing public doubt over his health amplifies calls for invoking the 25th amendment or pursuing impeachment to safeguard national and global security.

Argues that Donald Trump and his allies have undermined democratic norms to such an extent that traditional terms like “administration” and “president” no longer apply, describing their conduct as lawless and authoritarian. Citing violations of court orders, attacks on institutions, persecution of opponents, misuse of federal power and erosion of legal and democratic standards, it concludes that the Trump regime represents a profound danger to American governance and society.

Rising gas prices, an unpopular war with Iran and the prospect of Republican losses in the midterms have intensified pressure on Donald Trump, triggering increasingly erratic public attacks, AI‑generated self‑aggrandizing posts and punitive actions against perceived enemies. His responses to geopolitical setbacks and domestic political vulnerabilities have escalated into personal vendettas, investigations and efforts to assert dominance across government institutions. The combination of foreign policy failure and declining political control raises concerns about instability as he faces potential electoral defeat and the limits of presidential power.

Clarence Thomas is depicted as the most troubling modern US supreme court justice due to his ideological extremism, ethical breaches and hostility toward progressivism. His public speech linking progressivism to 20th‑century atrocities is described as historically inaccurate and dangerously misleading. The article argues that reforms from the Progressive and New Deal eras protected the US from fascism and that their erosion has contributed to rising inequality and political extremism. Thomas’s failure to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election despite his wife’s involvement in efforts to overturn the results is highlighted as a major ethical failure. His long association with Republican mega‑donor Harlan Crow is cited as further evidence of compromised impartiality, leading to the conclusion that he represents the worst of modern judicial misconduct.

Gunfire disrupted the White House correspondents’ dinner, heightening fears amid an already hostile political climate shaped by Donald Trump’s rhetoric and actions. While the shooting appears to have injured one Secret Service agent, it underscored the broader pattern of violence linked to the Trump era, including attacks on journalists, harsh immigration enforcement and the events of 6 January. The incident reflects a Washington marked by division, mistrust and instability, replacing the traditional formality of the event with a sense of ongoing chaos.

Various governments, institutions and individuals have successfully countered Trump by refusing to concede to his demands and instead leveraging asymmetric forms of power that turn his threats against him. Examples range from Iran’s use of economic pressure to Harvard’s legal strategy, Jimmy Kimmel’s public backlash advantage and E Jean Carroll’s courtroom victories. Entities that capitulated to Trump, including major media networks and some universities, suffered losses in influence and stability. A consistent strategic pattern emerges: resisting Trump and using his overreach to one’s advantage strengthens autonomy, while yielding to him increases his leverage.

Protests against Donald Trump’s actions signal widespread public opposition, and converting that momentum into political power requires targeted pressure on vulnerable Republican lawmakers, intensive organizing to boost Democratic turnout in the midterm elections, and vigilance against potential voter intimidation or election manipulation. Democratic overperformance in recent special elections and declining approval ratings for Trump create favorable conditions, but effective grassroots planning remains essential. Rising civic engagement and community activism are fostering broader reconsideration of democratic and economic structures, offering the possibility of a more equitable political future.

Argues that Donald Trump’s actions in pushing for military engagement and alienating allies do not reflect the views of most Americans, who continue to support international cooperation. Highlights foreign leaders’ refusals to join Trump’s military efforts and urges allied nations to distinguish between the president and the American public. Calls for global collaboration on major crises and reassures allies that many Americans are working to limit Trump’s impact and remove him from office.

Blaming the war in Iran on a breakdown of American democracy, the argument centers on Donald Trump’s unilateral decision-making, the human and economic costs of the conflict, and the disconnect between public opinion and presidential actions. It highlights soaring casualties, rising US energy costs, and massive military spending while domestic needs go unmet. The piece calls for mass protests, election system protections, and a strong midterm turnout to curb presidential overreach and restore democratic mechanisms.

Experts describe a lack of coherent strategy behind Trump’s military actions against Iran, with conflicting goals ranging from regime change to securing a perceived total victory. Netanyahu’s influence is seen as pushing for a prolonged campaign targeting Iran’s missile capabilities. Analysts fear the administration underestimates Iran’s military strength and risks escalation, including potential civil war or the need for ground troops. The Pentagon is concerned about resource strain while leadership appears disorganized, leaving the conflict without a clear plan or endpoint.

Argues that Donald Trump does not deserve attention for the State of the Union, citing abuses of power, repeated lies, divisive leadership, and a poor national outlook marked by economic inequality, rising inflation, job losses, failed tariffs, aggressive immigration enforcement, and volatile foreign policy. Encourages viewers and lawmakers to boycott the address and support counter‑programming events instead.

The Department of Homeland Security is reported to have subpoenaed major tech companies for the identities of social media users critical of ICE, prompting strong condemnation. Kristi Noem and the administration are accused of violating constitutional rights through detentions, deportations, intimidation, and defiance of court orders. Civil liberties protections, including First Amendment rights, are emphasized, and past responsible governance is contrasted with current actions. The piece warns of authoritarian tendencies and calls for accountability to democratic principles.

Corporate promises of AI-enabled shorter workweeks mask the likelihood that productivity gains will benefit owners rather than workers, continuing long-term trends of rising productivity paired with stagnant wages. Predictions from business leaders about reduced work hours are dismissed as unrealistic without structural changes ensuring workers capture a fair share of economic gains. Declining union power makes political action the primary means for workers to secure these benefits. Without such intervention, AI-driven productivity could deepen inequality, reducing workers’ income and purchasing power despite the abundance of new AI-generated goods and services.

Events in Minneapolis are presented as evidence of escalating authoritarianism under Donald Trump, marked by extrajudicial killings and falsehoods from his allies. Simultaneously, public outrage and solidarity are growing as residents across Minneapolis and other US communities organize mutual aid and resist immigration enforcement abuses. This dual tipping point reflects both the rise of a repressive police state and a broadening opposition united against it, suggesting a potential shift toward renewed civic solidarity and democratic engagement.