The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

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,Heather is under the weather today so our Gen Z producer-director-techie and all-around talent Michael Lahanas-Calderón is kindly filling in. Today we try to explain the most perplexing thing about the home stretch of this election — why Trump is running neck-and-neck with Harris despite his awful debate performance, his bonkers comment that Jews will be responsible if he loses, his bizarre accusations that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are eating people’s pets, and his growing incoherence about almost everything. We also look at Trump’s and Harris’s economic plans. And we assess the ages of Supreme Court justices with an eye toward how much havoc Trump could wreak on the next generation if he’s able to pick three more. So please pull up a chair, take our poll, and join us for today’s klatch. (And get better soon, Heather!) 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,As the 2024 election moves into its final stretch with Kamala Harris gaining a slim lead, Trump is losing it. His statements are even less coherent than before; his accusations, wilder; his lies, even more dangerous. He is starting to resemble a cornered animal. Today, Heather and I assess where Trump is and what he might do. We examine what Trump loyalists are doing in the key states of Georgia and Pennsylvania, with an eye toward delaying and casting doubt on the results of the upcoming election. We look at the chances of more chicanery after November 5 in Congress, particularly if Republicans remain in control of the House. And we look at incitements to violence.Notwithstanding all of this, though, we’re cautiously (Bob says “nauseously”) optimistic, and we hope you are, too. Please pull up a seat, grab a cuppa, take our poll, 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