In his campaign for president, Trump promised to protect Social Security and Medicare. On paper, Social Security, which has its own revenue sources via payroll taxes and trust funds, is protected from both the budget cuts of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and from the impact of the government shutdown. But Trump keeps trying to […]
Robert Kuttner
Robert Kuttner is co-founder and co-editor of The American Prospect, and professor at Brandeis University’s Heller School. His latest book is Notes for Next Time: Surviving Tyranny, Redeeming America. Follow Bob at his site, robertkuttner.com, and on Twitter.
Posted inTAP
Mamdani Courts the Cops
Even before he formally declared for mayor, Zohran Mamdani’s supporters and critics agreed on one thing: His toughest challenge would be addressing the issue of public safety in New York and winning over a highly skeptical police force. In July, all 13 NYC public safety unions endorsed Mayor Eric Adams, who has since dropped out. […]
Posted inEconomic Policy
How Scott Bessent Enables Oligarchy
After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the government began cracking down on hidden transfers of wealth. The purpose was to prevent money laundering that might finance terrorism. Some of this was codified in the USA PATRIOT Act. After the financial collapse of 2008, other safeguards were added. All this strengthened the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement […]
Posted inTAP
Trump’s Peace Plan and Real Estate Deal
Even if a deal is struck, there are multiple ways for things to go off the rails before it becomes a durable settlement.
Posted inTAP
Taxing the Rich and the Survival of Emmanuel Macron
Macron, whose own popularity ratings have been languishing, has made it clear that he opposes a wealth tax.
Posted inTAP
Who Picked the Crops?
Today on TAP: How ICE favored growers at the expense of farmworkers
Posted inPolitics
Left, Right, and Free Speech
With the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk, the right pretends to champion free speech while the left supposedly promotes censorship. It’s a classic Big Lie.
Posted inTAP
The Art of the Budget Deal
Today on TAP: With a government shutdown looming on Wednesday, will Trump screw Democrats, Republicans, the public, or himself?
Posted inTAP
H-1B Disruption
Today on TAP: It’s the right target, but a $100,000 visa fee is a characteristically bizarre Trumpian remedy.
Posted inTAP
Bessent’s Bizarre Bailout
Today on TAP: Argentina will get U.S. help despite its perverse economic policies, only because fellow economic pervert Trump and Argentina’s Milei are soulmates. It won’t work.
