Michael Linden

In this discussion, Michael Linden, an economist and Democratic strategist, digs into JD Vance’s recent speech rife with misinformation regarding the budget bill. He highlights how Vance’s deceitful attacks on health care funding will severely impact Trump voters and rural communities. Linden emphasizes the need for Democrats to expose these lies, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts and their ramifications on low-income Americans. He provides strategic insights on how to keep these critical issues in focus leading up to the 2026 elections.

Michael Linden, the former senior advisor at the Office of Management and Budget and current director of Families Over Billionaires, shares his insights on a controversial budget bill. He discusses the harmful cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance, revealing how the bill disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Linden critiques current Republican tax policies, advocating for fairer taxation. He also emphasizes the disconnect between government actions and public needs, urging for reforms that prioritize working-class interests over corporate profits.

Michael Linden, senior policy fellow and former White House OMB official, explains how the US income tax system really works. He unpacks marginal tax brackets, why about half of households pay no federal income tax, the difference between payroll and income taxes, and how wealth is taxed through capital gains and strategies like buy, borrow, die.