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In reply to the discussion: Kevin Hassett says Fed researchers should be 'disciplined' over report that Americans are paying tariffs [View all]LetMyPeopleVote
(177,554 posts)4. Maddowblog-White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers
Donald Trumps top economist didnt just disagree with consensus economic research, he also suggested he wants to see researchers disciplined.
Link to tweet
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-house-eyes-punishments-for-economists-who-told-the-truth-about-tariffs-consumers
Unfortunately for the White House, almost a year after Trump advanced his tariffs agenda, experts have scrutinized the evidence and concluded that their predictions were correct. From the Congressional Budget Office to international scholars to the National Bureau of Economic Research, all of the available data points in the same direction: American consumers, not foreign companies, are paying more as a result of the Republican presidents policy.
Last week, still more evidence emerged. Research published by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University found that, through last fall, 90% of the economic burden from Trumps tariffs fell on Americans, not foreigners.....
The trouble is, Team Trump doesnt want economists and researchers to make reality clear.
....Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, mocked Hassetts on-air comments, writing via Bluesky, Happy Kevin wants economists to be disciplined by their bosses for contradicting the regimes understanding of The Truth.
Paul Krugman released a related video on the subject, making a compelling case that Hassetts call to discipline economists was thuggish. Krugman added, Thats incredible. Thats like saying, If you carefully study the data and come up with results that we in the Trump administration dont like, we will punish you personally or we will try to.
In all likelihood, if the White House were serious about targeting the researchers, those efforts would fail. But as Krugman concluded, the public threat is itself horrible.
The war on dissent is ongoing, and theres every reason to believe its getting worse.
Last week, still more evidence emerged. Research published by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Columbia University found that, through last fall, 90% of the economic burden from Trumps tariffs fell on Americans, not foreigners.....
The trouble is, Team Trump doesnt want economists and researchers to make reality clear.
Hassett on new study from NY Fed showing 90% of tariff burden is being shouldered by US firms & consumers: "The paper is an embarrassment. It's I think the worst paper I've ever seen in the history of the Fed system. The people associated with this paper should presumably be disciplined."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-02-18T14:18:16.156Z
....Justin Wolfers, an economist at the University of Michigan, mocked Hassetts on-air comments, writing via Bluesky, Happy Kevin wants economists to be disciplined by their bosses for contradicting the regimes understanding of The Truth.
Paul Krugman released a related video on the subject, making a compelling case that Hassetts call to discipline economists was thuggish. Krugman added, Thats incredible. Thats like saying, If you carefully study the data and come up with results that we in the Trump administration dont like, we will punish you personally or we will try to.
In all likelihood, if the White House were serious about targeting the researchers, those efforts would fail. But as Krugman concluded, the public threat is itself horrible.
The war on dissent is ongoing, and theres every reason to believe its getting worse.
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Kevin Hassett says Fed researchers should be 'disciplined' over report that Americans are paying tariffs [View all]
BumRushDaShow
Wednesday
OP
MAGA thinks someone else pays tariffs the same way Mexico paid for the wall
IronLionZion
Wednesday
#1
They must have not done enough 'connect the dots' puzzles in their youth
travelingthrulife
Yesterday
#32
Maddowblog-White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers
LetMyPeopleVote
Wednesday
#4
Maddowblog-White House eyes punishments for economists who told the truth about tariffs, consumers
LetMyPeopleVote
Yesterday
#31
Doublethink, Doublespeak: "nineteen eight-four" Brought to Life in Our country
SorellaLaBefana
22 hrs ago
#33