Historian Rick Perlstein on Trump's Obsession with Tariffs and Political Corruption

Trump's Longstanding Fascination with Tariffs

• 💡 Historian Rick Perlstein notes that Donald Trump has been obsessed with tariffs and trade wars since the 1980s, citing an ad he took out in the New York Times.
• ⚠️ Perlstein suggests that while Trump may back off from policies if his ego is flattered or public sentiment shifts, relying on this is precarious.
• 📉 Economists widely believe that Trump's tariff policies create misery for many people, including his own supporters.

Expansion of Presidential Power and Perceptions of Corruption

• 📈 The conversation touches upon the expansion of presidential power over modern history, particularly during the terms of Presidents Trump and Biden.
• ⚖️ Both Trump and Biden have been perceived by the public as corrupt, raising questions about whether this is a new threshold in American politics.
• 🤔 Perlstein argues that suspicion of politicians is healthy and aligns with James Madison's vision for checks and balances.

The New Ecosystem of Corruption Discourse

• 💻 A new,