Ezra Klein invites you into a conversation on something that matters. How do we address climate change if the political system fails to act? Has the logic of markets infiltrated too many aspects of our lives? What is the future of the Republican Party? What do psychedelics teach us about consciousness? What does sci-fi understand about our present that we miss? Can our food system be just to humans and animals alike?
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Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is one of just 13 Democrats to represent a district that Donald Trump won. Her distinctive economic message, and a willingness to buck her own party, helped her win re-election. But now the reality of the Trump era is coming home. Gluesenkamp Perez faced raucous crowds at town halls in Washington State recently, with some of her more liberal constituents furious that she isn’t opposing the administration more forcefully. At the same time, the White House ha...
The U.S. dollar is the lingua franca of the global financial system. The fact that so much of the world relies on our currency has long been understood as our exorbitant privilege — the reason we have so much leverage in the global economy and are able to borrow at lower interest rates. But the Trump administration has a much more complicated relationship with the dollar. It has come to see dollar dominance as a burden we bear on behalf of the rest of the world. But in its attempts to move away ...
Ezra Klein hosts a discussion on abundance, concentrated power, and the role of government with Zephyr Teachout and Saikat Chakrabarti. They explore challenges to building and innovation, dissect the influence of money in politics, and debate the balance between democratic processes and decisive action. The conversation covers housing costs, green energy deployment, and the need for a mission-driven approach to governance, highlighting key disagreements and potential solutions for a more dynamic and equitable future.
Ezra Klein and Ross Douthat explore the role of mysticism, belief, and religion in contemporary politics, particularly within the Trump administration. They delve into the tensions between Christian and pagan influences, the weaponization of cruelty, and the search for meaning in a disenchanted world. The conversation navigates the balance between tradition, open-ended seeking, and the dangers of straying from established structures of knowledge.
Steven Hahn discusses the history of illiberalism in America, arguing that figures like Trump are not aberrations but expressions of a long-standing tension between liberal and illiberal forces. He examines historical episodes such as the Jacksonian era, the Red Scare, and Japanese internment to illustrate how illiberal tendencies have been intertwined with American identity, and emphasizes the need to recognize this history to combat present-day threats to civil liberties. The conversation explores cycles of progress and backlash, the contradictions within liberalism, and the importance of building coalitions to address inequalities.
Asha Rangappa, former FBI agent, discusses the Trump administration's defiance of the Supreme Court in the Abrego Garcia case, potential abuses of power, and the erosion of constitutional safeguards. Rangappa warns of authoritarian tendencies, the unchecked expansion of executive power, and the need for Congress and other institutions to act as a check. The conversation explores historical parallels, potential scenarios, and the importance of resistance to protect civil liberties.
Ezra Klein and Tom Friedman discuss the dangers of the current Washington consensus on China, arguing it's based on outdated understandings. Friedman shares observations from his recent trip, highlighting advancements in manufacturing, technology, AI, and EVs. They propose a different path focusing on domestic manufacturing and collaboration rather than hostility and escalation.
Ezra Klein and Peter Orszag discuss Trump's tariffs, market reactions, and the economic uncertainties facing businesses, including the potential for a global financial reordering and the future of American trade policy amidst changing international dynamics. They explore the implications of these policies on investment decisions, global relationships, and the U.S.'s role in the world economy. The conversation covers potential new frameworks for trade and economic policy.
Paul Krugman and Ezra Klein discuss the economic implications of Donald Trump's newly unveiled tariffs, which are larger and more confusing than expected. Krugman dissects the theories behind Trump's tariff policies, their practical realities, and the potential risks of domestic and global recession. They also explore the role of the U.S. dollar, the possibilities for re-industrialization, and the geopolitical consequences of alienating allies.
Jonathan Haidt discusses the impact of social media and AI on children's mental health and development, emphasizing the need for a play-based childhood, moral frameworks, and collective action. He explores the policy changes limiting cellphone usage in schools and the challenges of parenting in the age of AI, highlighting the importance of attention, real-world interactions, and resisting the allure of technology-driven solutions that may harm children's development. He also recommends books on stoicism, deep work, and social skills to promote flourishing.
It’s our first subscriber-only “Ask Me Anything” of the year. The show’s executive producer, Claire Gordon, joins me to discuss your questions about the risk of a constitutional crisis and how Democrats, businesses and universities are responding to President Trump. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. And if you aren’t a New York Times subscriber but would like to be, just go to https://www.nytimes.com/subscription. This episode contains strong language. Mentioned: “ A Democrat Who Is T...
Ezra Klein and Santi Ruiz discuss the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under a potential Trump administration, exploring its goals, actions, and potential impacts on the federal government. They analyze DOGE's focus on efficiency, its cuts to various programs, and its underlying motivations, considering both ideological and practical factors. The conversation also touches on the potential for executive overreach and the future of government under a highly personalized presidency.
To mark the release of our new book “ Abundance ,” my co-author Derek Thompson had me on his podcast, “ Plain English ,” to talk about it. We’re on book tour right now, so we’re doing a lot of talking about this book. But this conversation is different. It’s just Derek and me, and we get into the story of how the book came together, and all the people and ideas that influenced us – a kind of intellectual history of the abundance agenda. And I thought the audience of this show might find this int...
David Shor analyzes the 2024 election results, highlighting key shifts in voter demographics, the impact of inflation, and the influence of new media platforms like TikTok. He discusses how Democrats lost ground with working-class and non-white voters, while also exploring the growing gender gap among young voters. Shor emphasizes the importance of focusing on economic issues and addressing voters' anger to regain trust and competitiveness in future elections.
This episode explores Donald Trump's economic policies through the lens of economics and anthropology, examining the administration's goals, strategies, and potential consequences. It delves into the "Mar-a-Lago Accords," competing factions within the administration, and the shift from neoliberalism to a mercantilist mindset. The discussion further analyzes the role of cultural power, the use of tariffs, and the potential risks to the global financial system, offering insights into the motivations and potential impacts of Trump's economic agenda.
Economist Kimberly Clausing joins Ezra Klein to discuss the potential consequences of Trump's proposed tariffs, explaining how they function as taxes disproportionately affecting lower and middle-class Americans, while also exploring the contradictions in the administration's rationales behind these policies and their impact on economic growth and international relations. The conversation further examines the long-term implications of tariffs on American manufacturing, supply chains, and the global economy, questioning whether these measures are truly beneficial for the American middle class, and offers recommendations for promoting economic well-being through progressive taxation and strategic investments.
Ezra Klein analyzes the Democratic Party's struggles with governing effectively, particularly in states like California and New York, where high costs of living are driving residents away. He uses the example of California's failed high-speed rail project to illustrate how liberal policies and bureaucratic processes can hinder progress and create scarcity. He argues that Democrats must confront their role in creating these problems and embrace a politics of abundance to counter the populist right's exploitation of scarcity.
Ezra Klein and Aaron Retica analyze Trump's address to Congress, dissecting its lies, loyalty tests, and authoritarian undertones. They explore the speech's economic implications, attacks on Democrats, and the administration's vision for America, highlighting contradictions and the collision between Trump's rhetoric and reality. The discussion also covers the role of figures like RFK Jr. and the challenges facing the Democratic opposition.
Ezra Klein interviews Ben Buchanan, former AI advisor in the Biden White House, about the rapid approach of AGI and its implications. They discuss the US-China competition, national security risks, labor market disruptions, and the need for both safety measures and proactive preparation. Buchanan emphasizes the importance of government readiness and international cooperation in navigating this transformative technology.
Fareed Zakaria analyzes Donald Trump's foreign policy doctrine, highlighting its rejection of the open international system and its focus on leveraging American power through unconventional means. The discussion covers the implications of Trump's approach on alliances, trade, and global stability, questioning whether it represents a strategic shift or a dangerous dismantling of established norms. The conversation also explores potential lessons for both Democrats and Republicans in navigating the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Martin Gurri discusses his theory of media's impact on politics, arguing that the shift from scarce to abundant information has fueled distrust and instability. He reflects on how this dynamic played out in the Trump era and explores the potential for a new political order. Gurri also examines the role of free speech, censorship, and the challenges of governing in the digital age.
After the elections, I started asking congressional Democrats the same question: If the elections had gone the other way, if they had won a trifecta, what would be their first big bill? In almost every case, they said they didn’t know. That’s a problem. Democrats are in the opposition now. That means fighting the worst of what Trump is doing. But it also means providing an alternative. So one thing I’m going to do this year is talk to Democrats who are trying to find that alternative — an agenda...
What happens when ambition no longer checks ambition? Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast . Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs . This audio essay for “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by our supervising editor, Claire Gordon. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Mixing by E...
We are moving into the next phase of Donald Trump’s presidency. Phase 1 was the blitz of executive actions. Now comes the response from the other parts of the government — namely, the courts. A slew of judges, some of them Republican appointees, have frozen a number of the administration’s most aggressive actions: the destruction of U.S.A.I.D., the spending freeze, DOGE’s access to the Treasury payments system and the executive order to end birthright citizenship, to name just a few. The adminis...
Elon Musk has been on a slash-and-burn tear through the federal government — gaining access to I.T. systems, dismantling U.S.A.I.D. and unleashing a firehose of attacks on his platform, X, accusing the bureaucracy of various conspiratorial crimes. As this all unfolds before our eyes, it’s hard to believe that Musk, not that long ago, was a conventional Obama-era liberal. How did a guy who cared about climate change and going to Mars, whose companies were buoyed by government largess, become Dona...
There are two pieces to this episode. First, a tour of what Donald Trump has done — and what he has backed down from doing — over the last few days. There’s a lesson there. Perhaps Democrats are starting to learn it. Then I wanted to hear the view of Trump’s first weeks back in office from someone on the right — someone who agrees with many of Trump’s policies, but also understands how the government works and who cares about our Constitution. Yuval Levin is the director of social, cultural and ...
Look closely at the first two weeks of Donald Trump’s second term and you’ll see something very different than what he wants you to see. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected]. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast . Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs . This audio essay for “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by o...
MAGA has long been hostile to Big Tech. So now that Big Tech is shifting rightward, what does that mean for MAGA? “We’re seeing a true political coalition having to navigate very, very big questions about how to keep themselves together,” James Pogue told me. He’s a contributing writer at Times Opinion who has been covering the intellectual ferment on the New Right for years. And he just published a great piece about the tensions between the techno-optimists and skeptics within the MAGA coalitio...
On the first day of President Trump’s second term, he signed a record 26 executive orders. Some of them were really big. Others feel more likely messaging memos. And still others are bound to be held up in the courts. So what does it all amount to? What exactly in America has changed? In a former life, I co-hosted a podcast called “The Weeds” with other policy wonks at Vox, including Dara Lind and Matthew Yglesias. We’ve since gone our separate ways; Lind is currently a senior fellow at the Amer...
There’s a quieter transition happening beneath the pageantry of this week’s inaugural events — a transition not of power per se but of the rules around how power in Washington works. And the new rules look very different from the old ones. In this conversation, I’m joined by Aaron Retica, an editor at large for New York Times Opinion (and my column editor), to discuss what President Trump’s inaugural address and first round of executive orders signal about the administration to come. We talk abo...
