9/16/26: Bessent Defends Terrible Economy, Massie Says Impeach Hegseth, Trump Mail In Ballot Smackdown
Summary
This episode of Breaking Points examines the economic fallout from the US-Iran war, highlighting soaring oil prices, rising mortgage rates, and a $38 billion cost estimate from the CBO. Hosts Ryan Grim and Emily Rausch discuss the Trump administration's failed economic messaging, a Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots, and a massive arms transfer to Israel. The show also covers midterm election dynamics, including new polling data and reporting on Michigan Senator Mike Rogers' ties to the opioid crisis, alongside an interview with a Houthi official.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: ChatGPT for Business and Brilliant
Intro: 2024 outlook and premium subscription appeal
Economic news, Fed rate hike, and Iran missile program
Sympathy for Ansar Allah and global dread forecast
Scott Bessent testimony: Jobs, wages, and survey disputes
Trump's economic messaging vs. material reality and bond market
Oil crisis: Saudi pipeline, diesel shortages, and Libya protests
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Ukraine-Russia war: Energy strikes and drone attacks
Housing market: Mortgage rates and the American Dream
Income data, poverty rate, and Shanghai crude oil prices
Transition to Iran news and embassy incident
Sponsors: OnDeck and Staples
Impeachment of Pete Hegseth and War Powers resolution
Cost of Iran war: CBO estimates and munitions shortfall
US arms sales to Israel: 40,000 tons of bombs and Iron Dome
Sponsor: OnDeck business loans
Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballot postal rules
NYT/Siena polling: Democrats favored on economy and issues
Michigan data center tax breaks and voter concerns
Mike Rogers and the Sackler/Purdue opioid lobbying scandal
Working class realignment and Rogers' pro-Israel network
Outro and final sponsors: Staples and Greenies
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