Out of Whack

Summary

Heather Cox Richardson argues that the United States feels “out of whack,” citing what she describes as increasingly erratic presidential behavior, strained alliances, and the domestic costs of Republican policies. She points to an incident in which the president wandered away from his armored vehicle before Secret Service agents redirected him, as well as his personal remarks about Senator John Husted and an insult directed at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins.

Foreign policy

Richardson says the administration’s turn away from traditional U.S. allies and toward Russia remains troubling. She notes that videos showed special envoy Steve Witkoff praising Vladimir Putin while Russian forces continued attacks in Ukraine.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speculated that Putin may have compromising material on President Trump. She also argued that Trump’s approach could amount to dividing the world into spheres of influence.

Trump denied involvement in the reported slowdown of Starlink service in Ukraine. Members of Congress, including Republicans, promised an investigation, and Elon Musk responded to threats of scrutiny with a menacing social-media post. Richardson adds that European and Canadian efforts to develop alternative satellite systems could threaten Musk’s reliance on government contracts.

Domestic economic effects

Citing Paul Krugman, Richardson says about 12 million Americans have lost health coverage and that premiums have risen for many who remain insured.

She reports that SNAP enrollment fell by more than five million people—nearly 13%—from July 2025 to June 2026. Children made up nearly half of those no longer receiving benefits. New cost-sharing rules could put additional pressure on states and lead to further benefit losses.

Richardson says the federal deficit reached roughly $2 trillion in the fiscal year ending September 30, about $160 billion above the total in President Biden’s final year. She attributes the growing shortfall largely to the extension of tax cuts, alongside cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and says projected military spending adds to the strain.

The administration put the cost of the Iran war’s fuel and munitions at about $45 billion, but Richardson argues the full cost is higher. She also cites a Defense Department request for another $200 billion and a proposed 2027 military budget of $1.5 trillion.

Political messaging and tactics

Richardson describes Republican messaging ahead of elections as fear-based, citing Fox News hosts’ warnings about Democrats and the left.

She also discusses inflammatory political tactics, including fake Texas flyers falsely presented as coming from a transgender-rights group and a Vivek Ramaswamy ad attacking Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton by using her childhood trauma. Vice President JD Vance defended the ad, while other Republicans and public figures condemned it. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie warned that the party had been damaged by a “corrupted moral center.”

Republican dissent

Richardson closes with signs of Republican dissent. Neil Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, said he would vote for Democrat James Talarico rather than Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. He argued that character and respect for democratic institutions matter more than party affiliation.

Presenter and production credits

• Presenter, writer, and reader: Heather Cox Richardson
• Production: Soundscape Productions, Dedham, Massachusetts
• Music: Michael Moss