Friends,
I know that this is an “Ask ME Anything” forum, but today, it is all of YOU that I am especially interested in.
Day after horrible day, the Trump regime continues to bombard America and the world with decisions that are undermining democracy and harming millions of people. It’s not just a national stress test for democracy and decency. It’s also a personal stress test for all of us, including you.
I’d like to know what you’re curious about, what you’re worried about, and what still gives you hope for the future. In turn, I’ll do my best to answer your questions about how we got here, what we might do about it, and what a more positive vision of the future might look like.
To kick us off, I want to share with you what gives me hope.
As many of you know, I taught at UC Berkeley for almost 20 years and witnessed its power as one of the most successful engines of upward mobility in America.
I have been and continue to be fortunate enough to meet with and be inspired by younger generations of students and activists determined to keep up the fight against inequality and demagoguery. My hope is that they (and future generations) will be able to learn from the lessons I’ve witnessed firsthand — and correct the many ways my generation came up short.
I love America and am proud of much that this nation has accomplished over my lifetime. I remain doggedly hopeful about the long-term future. But, undeniably, we and much of the world now face a brutal set of crises, headed by the decline of democracy and deterioration of the rule of law.
I’m here from 1-2pm PT/4-5pm ET to answer your questions, so please ask me anything!
PS: I have a new book out August 5th, called “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America” – part autobiography, part history focused on why America elected Trump in 2016 and then again in 2024, and part a story of the failure of my generation – that may hold answers to some of the questions I don’t get to today. There is also a new documentary called “The Last Class” (in theaters presently) about my aforementioned final semester of teaching my “Wealth and Poverty” class at UC Berkeley, which expounds on the importance of education to democracy, and deep appreciation for all of the students I’ve had the privilege of teaching over the years.
I’m Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, UC Berkeley professor, co-founder of Inequality Media, author of 18 books (including my new book “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America”), subject of a new documentary called “The Last Class”, and I write almost daily at robertreich.substack.com. AMA!
byu/RB_Reich inpolitics
31 comments
I don’t have a question. I just want to tell you that your son brings an immense amount of joy and happiness into my life with his creations and work. I hope you are very proud of him.
What was Sam like as a child?
What are your thoughts on the left’s constant infighting and inability to rally around a central figure, especially when compared to the right’s unified support of Trump despite all his flaws? Why does the left seem more focused on decorum and ideological purity than on the task at hand?
Do you have any words of advice or hope for queer folks who can’t leave? I volunteer with a queer focused nonprofit and I always feel like I don’t have the right words to say.
What can we do? I don’t understand how we can recover from the current disaster unfolding before us. Nor how it can be stopped at this point.
If the Democrats actually wanted to implement change in policy that secures future seats for them why didn’t they release the Epstein files during the Biden administration? Is it because people like Bill Clinton are named in them?
you’re awesome. i wanted to ask — obviously the epstien stuff that’s going on is flustering trump and this administration in general. that’s not the question though — the question is do you *truly* think that this is something that could make/break him according to the media? realistically, it seems like his base has no bottom for the level of depravity that they are willing to support or come to terms with. however, considering that a huge chunk of his base are also diehard conspiracy theorists that were promised the moon when it comes to exposing this worldwide conspiracy of sex trafficking, they are also feeling betrayed and that just reinforces their commitment to the idea. most of these people have the awareness levels of mashed potatoes, so its understandable how they could just be convinced this is another acceptable thing that happened. is this going to go away this time for them though, and if not what are the implications?
Do you think that these concentration camp like detention centers for immigrants will result in the murder of innocent people?
Hi Robert! I’ve been following you on insta for a while, and your videos are either stressing me out or making me laugh so thank you for that balance!
Why are you so hopeful for the future considering everything happening? Your hope gives me hope, but I am just wondering what drives that hope for you? I look around at the dumpster fire that is this country thanks to this regime, and I wonder how everything they’ve destroyed can ever be rebuilt.
Not only that, extreme far right views are becoming more and more mainstream (like the recent Jubilee video with people proudly declaring themselves fascists). How do we even begin to come back from this?
Thank you for participating here on r/politics Reddit. You mentioned you want to know things we are worried about …. I am concerned about the future of higher education. With your nearly 20 years experience at UC Berkeley, you are in a position to have insights into what may happen. With the rug pull of federal funding for research; the attacks on academic freedom; the lack of support for diversity (indeed, antagonism toward it); and the brain drain of our best scientists going to other countries where their work will be sufficiently funded, I am worried for future generations of students.
Can you share any thoughts on how universities, particularly research universities, can weather the storm of the Trump administration. Also, is college still a wise investment for students who are about to graduate from high school, or would they be better served immediately learning a trade or getting into crypto investing (jk, kind of).
How can America restore or improve its standing with the rest of the world once Trump’s out of office?
Is there a pathway to getting Trump removed from office that is realistic? Do you think he will see any jail time for his crimes?
Dear Sir,
I appreciate you, your work ethic, your morals, critical analysis, and most of all your bravery born of love for goodness. I see it in your work, your personality, and while I do not know you personally, I stand with you in this fight for Democracy, freedom, and goodness in the world. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You are one of the best people I can think of in my 40 years on this planet. I stand with you and will be reading this AMA with piqued interest.
Most sincerely,
A huge fan
What I’m curious about- what does your crystal ball say as to how our current situation ends.
What I worry about- the freedoms and privileges of my female grandchildren being eradicated.
What still gives me hope- zero, zilch. Nobody is saving us.
How can we get the unelected, unaccountable Supreme Court back under control to the point where it can start putting the brakes on Trump’s flagrant illegalities?
Are we becoming a modern version of feudalism, where a weak king is being replaced by a weak government, and strong nobility by billionaires?
What I’m curious about: How much worse will it get?
What I’m worried about: That another, younger, less politically vulnerable but equally psychopathic politician will successfully copy Trump’s playbook (watch Fox News to learn what “the base” is angry about, then get in front of a TV camera and amplify and embellish it) and complete the mission to turn America into a fascist hell.
What gives me hope: The certainty that someday a supermajority of Americans will look back on what’s going on right now and collectively say: “We have to do everything possible to ensure that this can never happen again.” My hope is that this moment arrives in my lifetime, though as a deceased star of a popular TV court show, technically I have all eternity to wait for it. I’d just rather not.
Edited to add: I’m still angry with you about NAFTA. Try to convince me that it was not a major factor in the creation of MAGA.
Hi Professor Reich, thank you for doing this!
With the data clearly showing a growing income divide and affordability crisis, how do you see the rise of AI impacting this trend? Do you think it will ultimately be a positive or negative force for economic equality?
Most importantly, what do you believe are the most critical long-term structural changes we need to make to overcome this for good?
Thanks for all you do.
Have you also been here the whole time?
A community, Return to the Land, has a straightforward approach to excluding nonwhites and other minority groups. They are expanding from Arkansas to Missouri. They’ve structured in a way that sidesteps fair housing practices. Is this a sign that whites only businesses, communities, and schools will become more common?
https://news.sky.com/story/inside-the-whites-only-settlement-in-arkansas-the-group-building-a-fortress-for-the-white-race-13399875
As this administration continues to attack education and science, i’m afraid of what the long term consequences of pulling grant fundings will have and can’t help but fear the worse. Do you think there is any recovering from this?
Being reasonable – i don’t expect some hero to appear that can fill the void that defunding will bring, or prevent data from being destroyed, or find some way to fill in the gaps for data not being collected – but is there any potential hope here for the future of science, medicine, and education?
Are the Democrats aware that they could win back rural America if they adjust their message just a bit to focus on wealth inequality, health care, and to talk to the level of a rural American and not trying to talk over them? It’s frustrating seeing so many people vote against their own best interests because they feel abandoned by the Democrats.
Do you think democrats have the political and legal appetite to actually gerrymander their states in retaliation for republican funny buisness?
Btw, words cannot express my gratitude for having someone like you to champion for us!! Thank you for all that you do for America, even if it bits you in return!
First, thank you so much for making government budgets and economics readily accessible for all the non-wonks; your drawings are great!
Question: Trump’s Big Bill has been criticized for prioritizing corporate interests, while also rolling back vital green infrastructure spending, potentially exacerbating income inequality and threatening climate targets. What specific economic policies would you recommend to counteract these effects while funding ambitious climate initiatives, such as a Green New Deal?
Do you watch any of your son’s shows on dropout?
Do you see any up-and-coming Democrats who can unite us going forward?
I am shocked there is not more of an uprising in the US. People I know are just “waiting it out” or are just “not political.” Is it going to take the pain of death to wake them up? USA and democracy as we have come to know it is at risk.
What is the most effective thing I can do to stop the erosion of Democracy in the US
If the Democrats come back into power they will have an enormous national debt, thanks to Trump. How should they deal with that without further cutting necessary services, bearing in mind that the number of billionaires we can tax is very limited in comparison with the size of the debt?
After Trump’s term is over, do you think it’s going to be possible for the country to ever bounce back within my lifetime or even within my 3 year old brother’s lifetime?
Where do u think the Democrats will be in few years more progressive or the same status quo
What can I as a citizen do? I would love to go protest, but I can never find where or when near my area. I am worried for my children and their future. I want to change the world for them, but I have no idea where to begin.
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