Robert Reich joins David, Trump admin goes Communist

The David Pakman Show - August 26, 2025

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The Trump administration announced that the U.S. government will buy a 10% stake in Intel, a chipmaker that lost nearly $19 billion last year. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the $10 billion deal “fair to the American people” and suggested similar moves could affect other companies, including defense contractors. Critics noted the irony, as Republicans have long warned Democrats against socialism, yet Trump is now intervening in private industry.

Trump’s grasp of history has come under scrutiny after a reported exchange with Vladimir Putin. According to Michael Wolff, Trump spoke as if the U.S. and USSR were allies during the Cold War and rambled incoherently while defending Russia’s stance on Ukraine.

Domestically, Trump tried to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, challenging the Fed’s independence. Cook refused to resign, citing the law, which allows removal only “for cause.” Trump used unverified allegations about Cook’s mortgage, but critics argue his goal is to pressure the Fed to cut interest rates before elections.

Trump said in the Oval Office yesterday, “I love black people,” but his record includes years of racially charged statements and a nearly all-white cabinet. These media stunts rather than policy, especially as polls show him struggling with Black voters. At the same event, Trump claimed Europeans jokingly call him “the president of Europe,” criticized renewable energy, and spoke incoherently about history, tariffs, and drug prices.

Images of Trump’s hands showing large bruises on both sides have gone viral, sparking health concerns. The White House attributes the marks to chronic venous insufficiency, blood thinners, and handshaking, but Trump’s history of medical secrecy has fueled skepticism.

Economist and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich joins us for a Substack Live and warns about authoritarian trends under Trump. He praised civic engagement and decentralized activism, criticized the Democratic Party for losing its working-class focus, and urged policies to break up monopolies, strengthen unions, reform campaign finance, expand Medicare, and address climate change.

On today’s bonus show:

NYC mayoral candidates are posting bench press videos, sparking a petty feud between Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo, and Zohran Mamdani. In DC, Trump’s National Guard deployment to address crime and homelessness costs far more than simply housing the homeless. And in California, Gavin Newsom trolls Trump-style with merchandise.

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