Episode 19: Blowing Up the Economy: Trump’s Tariff Gamble

Episode Summary:
In Episode 19 of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode unpacks Donald Trump’s massive April 2025 tariff announcement—the largest unilateral economic move in modern U.S. history. This episode breaks down what tariffs actually are, how Trump’s new policy distorts their use, and why this isn’t just about trade — it’s about power. From market collapses and economic misinformation to ideological fantasy and authoritarian leverage, we explore how Trump is using tariffs as a political weapon—and how you’re already paying the price.

In This Episode:

• What tariffs are and how they work in plain language
• Trump’s sweeping April 2 announcement and the bizarre math behind his new tariff plan
• Why the tariffs were timed for now — and how they serve Trump’s political agenda
• How Trump sees tariffs as tools of dominance, not policy
• The administration’s surreal spin on the resulting market crash

Next Episode:

Episode 20: “The Fallout”
We turn the lens to economists, workers, and everyday Americans to assess the damage. You’ll hear why some are calling Trump’s tariffs “economic malpractice.” How are farmers, families, and industries reacting? What’s Congress doing—or not doing? And what will MAGA voters tolerate as the pain spreads?

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

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