The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Trump: Losing in Iran, Losing on Tariffs, Losing Public Opinion
Mar 25, 2026
Richard Wolff, economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, offers concise analysis of capitalism and the working class. He examines the human and financial costs of the Iran war. He discusses tariffs, rising deficits, debt pressures, and risks to social programs. He outlines why U.S. strategic missteps signal decline rather than collapse.
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Human And Economic Toll Of The Iran War
- The Iran war has already cost billions and caused thousands of casualties and displacements.
- Brian Becker cites Cost of War: $30 billion spent, 3,200 Iranians killed, over 1,000 civilian deaths and many thousands homeless.
War As Political Distraction
- Donald Trump used the Iran war to distract from domestic scandals and economic failures.
- Richard Wolff links the war to hiding Epstein fallout and chronic U.S. economic weakness including inflation and deficits.
Huge Military Bills With No Revenue Offset
- Trump proposed massive military spending increases while losing a key revenue source from tariffs.
- Wolff details a $600 billion defense hike plus a $200 billion Iran war request, and tariffs overturned meant no offsetting revenue.
