The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Friends,Today, Heather and I — along with our Gen Z associates Katie Milne and Vishal Shankar — explore why the Republican Party is in near revolt against Trump. Congressional Republicans repeatedly rebuked him this week. Twenty House Republicans joined Democrats in passing a discharge petition to restore union rights to federal workers; 14 signed on to another discharge petition to prevent members of Congress from trading stocks. Meanwhile, a Democrat won the race to become mayor of Miami (for the first time in 30 years), and the Indiana Senate rejected a congressional redistricting plan despite Trump’s pressure campaign on Republican lawmakers.Why is Trump losing so badly now? Because his polls are plummeting. He refuses to acknowledge how difficult it is for most Americans to make ends meet — calling the affordability crisis a “sham” cooked up by Democrats, while his tariffs continue to jack up prices. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends, Trump evidently persuaded Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, the world football league, to award him the first (and likely last) annual FIFA Peace Prize, along with a hagiographic video. It’s all part of Infantino’s efforts to craft a close alliance with Trump.And Trump has just had his name engraved on the U.S. Institute of Peace — now renamed the “Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.” The absurd award and equally absurd engraving are parts of Trump’s pathetic campaign to get the Nobel Peace Prize — something he has coveted since Barack Obama was awarded it in 2009.We cover much more today. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and are now enjoying a restful post-Thanksgiving weekend. Today, Heather and I discuss the Thanksgiving holiday — from our own childhood memories, to Norman Rockwell’s iconic “freedom from want” Thanksgiving cover for The Saturday Evening Post. To Trump’s terrible Thanksgiving week — pardoning turkeys, criminals who support him and other criminals who pay him off. Also: American consumers’ exceedingly costly Thanksgiving — due to Trump policies. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,The big story this week is that Trump is losing it — losing his grip, losing control over the narrative, losing power over the Republican Party, and losing even more of his mind.Today, we examine at it all: Trump’s abrupt turnaround on the Epstein files. His demand that the Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military not to follow illegal orders be executed. His disgusting celebration of the Saudi Crown Prince (“Mr. Bonesaw”) Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, who oversaw the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The terrible Trump economy. His crashing poll numbers. The pushback from the federal courts. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a deep dive into an extraordinary week that featured the surrender by Senate Democrats to Trump Republicans on ending the government shutdown, as well as the resurrection of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal threatening Trump’s presidency. Also news on some critical political races and the economy. And Pope Leo and me. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Will Zohran Mamdani actually be able to turn his ambitious agenda into public policy?Today, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Dean Fuleihan, Mamdani’s newly named first deputy mayor and a seasoned veteran of New York politics, on what to expect when Mamdani takes office in January.I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,It was an amazing week. By wide margins, New York City elected a Social Democrat mayor who thinks there shouldn’t be billionaires, while Tesla’s board gave Elon Musk a $1 trillion pay package. Today, Heather and I, along with our colleague Vishal Shankar, take a deep dive into what all this means — for American politics, for the American economy, and for the future.Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I are joined by the talented writer and comedian W. Kamau Bell to assess the latest week’s dark saga of Trump et al.We start with the horrifying reality that 42 million of America’s most vulnerable people — the poor, the very young, the very old, the disabled — will not be receiving nutrition assistance starting today because of …. Why? There are funds to pay them, but Trump and his lapdog Republicans in Congress won’t release them, although they’re happy to keep on paying federal troops and to release tens of billions to the party of Trump’s flamboyant libertarian ally Argentinian President Javier Milei.Today is also the day that millions of Americans reliant on Obamacare discover that starting January 1, their health care premiums will rise an average of 30 percent, because Trump and his Republicans in Congress refuse to extend Obamacare subsidies. Which is why Democrats are refusing to join Republicans in approving that new budget.At least King Charles III had the integrity to strip brother Andrew of his royal titles and estates because of Andrew’s apparent entanglements with Jeffrey Epstein. But Trump and his speaker of the House lapdog Michael Johnson are keeping the House in recess and won’t swear in Arizona’s newest member of Congress, Adelita Grijalva — although she won election 39 days ago — out of fear she’ll be the deciding vote to demand release of the Epstein files.And more. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. P.S. If you haven’t already gotten one, you might consider buying an official Coffee Klatch mug as a special holiday gift. Or a ticket to: Or perhaps even: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,I recently spoke with my old friend Katie Couric, the longtime and much-admired TV host. I was thrilled to oblige when Katie asked me to explain the current government shutdown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today I had the pleasure of speaking with New York Assemblyman — and New York City mayoral candidate — Zohran Mamdani.Zohran Mamdani is the bright future of the Democratic Party — brimming with excellent ideas about what working families need.My own granddaughter is knocking doors for him in the final stretch of the NYC mayoral race.I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.Please be sure to also read my previous piece about Mamdani here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,I used to think of presidents as having dignity and stature, and the White House as being the “People’s House” — the essence of simple taste and modest grandeur. No longer. In the week after No Kings Day — the largest demonstration in American history — Trump has found new ways to defile and desecrate his office and the nation. He’s taken a battering ram to the White House, literally as well as figuratively, to create a giant garish gold-leafed ballroom financed by Trump’s favorite billionaires and big corporations. Meanwhile, he posted an AI-generated video of himself as a bomber pilot defecating on the Americans who demonstrated against him. He is using the Justice Department to prosecute people who have tried to hold him accountable for his illegal actions. Deploying federal troops in places he calls “Democrat” cities. Illegally shifting taxpayer money out of what he calls “Democrat” programs during the shutdown. And illegally bombing ships off the coast of Latin America. Trump is degrading his office and himself. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, millions of Americans are standing up for their values and standing up to Trump. Millions are saying clearly and powerfully — and peacefully — that this is a nation of laws, not of people who put themselves above the law. That we are a nation that values self-government, not a government by an authoritarian dictator. That we are a people whose forebears have sacrificed much — some have sacrificed their lives — so that democracy and freedom shall be preserved. We will not allow that legacy to be destroyed by Trump or anyone else. Please join Heather and me as we discuss these fundamentals in today’s coffee klatch. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I discuss Trump’s sending Texas National Guard troops into Chicago, Illinois — over the objections of Chicago’s mayor and Illinois’s governor. His indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, after having indicted James Comey — both of whom tried to hold him accountable for some of his actions during his first term. And his targeting of so-called “liberal” organizations. We also examine the government shutdown, his peace plan for Israel and Hamas, his aid to Argentina — and why Trump is helping bring peace and stability to other parts of the world while sowing chaos in America and declaring war on the “enemy within.”Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today, Heather and I assess the government shutdown and explore its connection to Trump’s meeting this week with the military’s top brass, his attempt to create a police state in America, declare war on Venezuela, make war on “the enemy within,” occupy big Democratic cities, and lead an anti-democracy movement. We also find some reasons for hope. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today we’re trying something of an experiment. I’ve asked several of my young colleagues — all 50 years younger than me! — to join in discussion about a remarkable week in which Trump has fully bared his authoritarian self. Trump is visibly and unapologetically targeting his political enemies for criminal prosecution. He’s unilaterally and capriciously raising import taxes (tariffs) that will cost Americans dearly. He’s threatening the media with more punishment should it continue to criticize him. Katie is our Texas correspondent, Vish our Wisconsin correspondent, Michael is here in the Bay Area, and I’m your old host. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Michael and I take a deep dive into ABC’s decision this week to fire late-night entertainer Jimmy Kimmel — and why ABC caved to Trump and Trump’s FCC. The decision came barely two months after CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s contract, for similar reasons. What’s the underlying story?Are we on the verge of an authoritarian clampdown on criticism of the Trump regime? If so, what are our options and responsibilities? We explore the economics and the politics of free speech, what it requires from all of us. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. PS: You can find my new book, Coming Up Short, at your local bookstore, or order through bookshop.org, which supports local bookstores. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I take a hard look at political violence in America — not just this week’s heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk but other violence I’ve witnessed, and the nation’s history of violence in politics — and we ask whether there’s something unique to American culture that harbors such deep hatred that people feel compelled to murder others for their political beliefs. Yesterday, Trump doubled down on blaming what he calls the “radical left” for political violence in the United States. During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Trump was asked about the presence of radical individuals on both sides of the aisle and how it can be fixed to bring the country together. His response:“The radicals on the right oftentimes are radical because they don’t want to see crime. They don’t want to see crime. Worried about the border. They’re saying, We don’t want these people coming in. We don’t want you burning our shopping centers. We don’t want you shooting our people in the middle of the street. The radicals on the left are the problem, and they’re vicious and they’re horrible and they’re politically savvy, although they want men and women sports, they want transgender for everyone, they want open borders.”Instead of helping the country come together, Trump continues to pull us apart. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Trump’s economy is going down what he describes as a “sh*thole.” Job growth has stalled and prices continue to rise. The problem is it’s not just Trump’s economy; it’s also our economy. Today, Heather and I try to give some context to the bad economic news — looking at what it means politically, who is suffering most, and how it can possibly be turned around. Along the way, we talk about the extraordinary push-back by the federal courts and the hopes for the Democrats, and we venture into larger themes such as the centrality of science and truth in a democracy. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join our conversation. Oh, and don’t forget to buy my new book, Coming Up Short (you can support local bookstores by ordering it at bookshop.org), and see Heather and Elliot Kirschner’s new movie about my last class, The Last Class (to find a theater near you, click here). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Today Heather and I come to you from one of our favorite local bookstores to emphasize the importance of free speech, free expression, and freedom to criticize the current regime — even as it seeks ever-greater control over the media, universities, museums, and our cities. Our neofascist emergency worsens.Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Friends,Michael and I are coming to you today from the Empire Café in Houston, Texas, where the coffee is superb and the service comes with a smile (the café’s motto is “corporate coffee sucks”). It’s a bit noisy here (for which I apologize) but, hey, that’s what you get when you mix it up with real people. While I’m apologizing, I also want to apologize for the petition that was inadvertently posted on this page yesterday. When its provenance couldn’t be validated, I had it taken down. I should have had it checked before it was posted but wasn’t able to because I’ve been on a book tour. Again, my apologies. Today, Michael and I dive into Trump’s plans for additional state gerrymandering around the country and his occupation of Washington, D.C. — both parts of his second attempted coup on America, designed to prevent a free and fair election in the midterms of 2026. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, take our poll, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe