Latest news with #TheOpinions'
New York Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Michigan Dem Elissa Slotkin says she was ‘going to punch someone' over party's ‘annoying' economic gaslighting
Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin called out her own party on Wednesday for spending years claiming the economy wasn't bad under the Biden administration. Though she defended voting in favor of many of former President Joe Biden's economic policies as a congresswoman, Slotkin told the New York Times' 'The Opinions' podcast that Democrats largely fumbled by ignoring people's struggles. Advertisement 'So we did pass a bunch of things, but we also spent a good year plus after the pandemic explaining to people that the economy was not as bad as they thought,' Slotkin said. 'Saying things like: This Harvard economist says that G.D.P. is the highest, bah, bah, bah.' She remarked, 'I was going to punch someone if they quoted me one more Harvard economist when I could tell you with certainty that in my part of the world, people's wages were not keeping pace with inflation. Period.' Slotkin went on to say that the Democratic Party made voters feel 'stupid' by ignoring their issues because the economy looked good 'on a piece of paper in a spreadsheet in Boston.' Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., rehearses the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, March 4, 2025, in Wyandotte, Mich. AP Advertisement 'That was annoying and was our fault,' she said. Slotkin, who was elected to the Senate last year, rose to national prominence after giving the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's congressional address in March. Since then, she has been equally critical of her own party for its focus on identity politics. In April, Politico previewed a speech she gave in Lansing where she called on the Democratic Party to 'f—ing retake the flag' and stop being 'weak and woke.' President Joe Biden pauses as he speaks to reporters in Nantucket, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, about hostages freed by Hamas in a third set of releases under a four-day cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. AP Advertisement Though that report got attention, Slotkin clarified to the New York Times that the words 'weak' and 'woke' were not from her but from focus groups describing the Democratic Party. 'Just to correct the record, the 'weak' and 'woke' were the two words when there were focus groups done in Michigan in February. The two most common words to describe the Democratic Party in Michigan were 'weak' and 'woke.' So just to be accurate, that wasn't me who said those two words. It was me repeating what the perception is of the party,' Slotkin said.
New York Times
24-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
The Claim Trump Is Making That ‘Could Break the American System'
By Jamelle Bouie and Aaron Retica Produced by Derek Arthur More than two months into his second term, President Trump is testing the limits of the U.S. Constitution. But which of his executive actions are legally sound, and which defy constitutional principles? In this episode, the Opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie sits down with his editor, Aaron Retica, for a deep dive into the crisis that's reshaping American democracy. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@ This episode of 'The Opinions' was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Sonia Herrero, Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@ Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp and Threads.
New York Times
19-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn't True.
By Nicholas Kristof Produced by Derek Arthur What does it look like when some of the world's richest men withdraw assistance for the world's poorest women and children? After Elon Musk claimed no one had died from cuts to American foreign aid spending, the Opinion writer Nicholas Kristof traveled to South Sudan to see the impact for himself. In this episode, he shares how millions of people now face death and starvation and why Americans — including those who believe in 'America First' — should care. Read Kristof's interactive essay with photos and charts at (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.) Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@ This episode of 'The Opinions' was produced by Derek Arthur. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Annie-Rose Strasser. Mixing by Carole Sabouraud. Original music by Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker and Kate Sinclair. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@ Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp and Threads.
