Presidency coming apart as economy becomes a nightmare

The David Pakman Show - December 5, 2025

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The Trump administration continues to promise economic booms and healthcare fixes that never arrive. Kevin Hassett told Maria Bartiromo that even 3% GDP growth would be disappointing and claimed AI could solve workers’ problems. This ignores the reality for millions who cannot cover a $400 emergency and face stagnant wages. AI alone cannot fix systemic economic issues, and the administration’s optimism is out of touch with the struggles of everyday Americans.

Layoffs in 2025 have hit record levels, surpassing 1.17 million and running 54% higher than last year. November alone pushed totals to the highest since 2020, with companies citing AI, tariffs, and restructuring. A jobs report that missed expectations by over 70,000 highlights how Trump’s policies are raising costs, slowing manufacturing, and accelerating job losses.

A suspect has finally been arrested in the 2021 D.C. pipe-bomb case, exposing Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino’s hypocrisy. For years, he spread conspiracy theories for profit, suggesting an inside job, and shrugged off past claims by saying he was “paid for opinions.” This admission shows deliberate intellectual dishonesty and a willingness to manipulate audiences for money.

Trump has repeatedly fallen asleep in public, including during a peace-agreement ceremony with Rwanda and the DRC, following multiple drowsy incidents at Cabinet meetings. The footage shows prolonged dozing, raising questions about his health and stamina.

Scrutiny of Trump’s cognitive and physical decline continues. Nicknamed “drowsy Donny,” he is reportedly furious at media coverage of forgetfulness, dozing, bruising, and his mysterious MRI. Releasing real medical results or a genuine cognitive test could settle concerns, but the administration avoids it, leaving the public to see a strongman image that is clearly eroding.

Trump’s White House ballroom project has stalled after demolition, revealing poor planning. Architect James McCrery II warned the 90,000-square-foot design would overshadow the main building and was replaced. The partially demolished site waits for a new architect, with costs already over $300 million. This reflects Trump’s history of impulsive, chaotic decision-making and undermines his claims of executive competence.

Finally, at the DC Christmas tree lighting, Trump turned a simple ceremony into an awkward spectacle. Struggling to deliver lines and feigning religiosity, he veered into boasting about the economy, false claims about inflation, fantasies of global peace, and the 2020 election being rigged.

On today’s bonus show:

The Supreme Court revives Texas’s new redistricting map, Kash Patel refused to get off a plane until he got an FBI raid jacket, the US Institute of Peace gets renamed for Trump, and much more...

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