Donald Trump s Affordability and Invincibility

Donald Trump's "Affordability" and "Invincibility" Are Peeling Away ... " Robert Reich 
In his recent commentary, Robert Reich argues that the two pillars of Donald Trump’s second-term political strength—his promise of economic "affordability" and his aura of "invincibility"—are starting to crumble under the weight of governing reality.
Reich’s critique, most notably in his December 2025 piece "Behold, it’s the Trump who stole Christmas," breaks down the "peeling away" of these two concepts as follows:
1. The Peeling Away of "Affordability"
Reich contends that Trump’s central campaign promise—to lower the cost of living—is being undermined by his own administration's policies:
The "Affordability" Script vs. Reality: Reich points out that while Trump campaigned on lower prices, his administration's focus on broad tariffs and corporate tax cuts has, in practice, kept prices high for everyday consumers.
Empathy Gap: Reich highlights a specific moment during a recent "Christmas speech" where Trump, instead of addressing the public's economic anxiety, suggested that people struggling to make ends meet should simply "cut back on buying stuff." * Regressive Policy: Reich labels the administration's legislative efforts (like the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act") as the "most regressive in history," arguing they transfer wealth upward while cutting essential services like Medicaid and food assistance.
2. The Peeling Away of "Invincibility"
For years, Trump has maintained an image of being politically untouchable. Reich argues this image is fracturing due to internal and external resistance:
Congressional Rebellion: Reich notes that Republican lawmakers are no longer in lockstep. In late 2025, several Republican senators joined Democrats to vote down administration priorities, signaling that Trump’s ability to "punish" dissenters is weakening as midterms approach.
Failure of the "Bully" Tactic: Reich suggests that the "wannabe emperor has no clothes," citing instances where Trump was forced to cave—such as on the release of the Epstein files—proving he is not the irresistible force he claims to be.
Institutional Pushback: From state governors to the remnants of an independent media, Reich argues that Phase 2 of Trump's plan (which he describes as an attempt to eradicate political opposition) is meeting more friction than the administration anticipated.
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Reich's Conclusion
Reich’s broader thesis is that as the "boil" of authoritarianism becomes "big and ugly," it will eventually disgust the public enough to trigger a massive backlash. He believes the current "peeling" is the beginning of a cycle where the administration's failures to deliver on economic relief will eventually lead even his loyal base to question his "invincibility."
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Robert Reich’s analysis of Donald Trump’s second term centers on the idea that the two primary illusions sustaining his power—the promise of economic "Affordability" and the aura of personal "Invincibility"—are currently in a state of collapse.
In his December 2025 assessment, Reich argues that the "peeling away" of these two pillars marks a turning point where the reality of governing has finally collided with the rhetoric of the campaign.
1. The Collapse of "Affordability"
Reich argues that Trump’s most potent political weapon was his promise to end the "cost of living crisis." However, Reich posits that the administration’s actual policies have done the opposite:
The Tariff Inflation Trap: Reich points out that Trump’s aggressive tariff regime has acted as a "national sales tax," driving up the prices of imported goods and essential materials. This has neutralized any perceived gains from previous wage growth.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBBA): Reich analyzes this signature legislation as a massive upward transfer of wealth. By pairing corporate tax cuts with deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, the administration has, in Reich’s view, actively increased the financial burden on the working class.
Austerity Rhetoric: Reich notes a sharp shift in the President’s tone. During his December 2025 "Christmas speech," Trump abandoned the "affordability script" and instead told struggling Americans they should "cut back on buying stuff." Reich interprets this as a total disconnect from the economic reality of the voters who put him in office.
2. The Peeling Away of "Invincibility"
The second pillar, "Invincibility," refers to the perception that Trump is an unstoppable force who can bend any institution or individual to his will. Reich argues this image is fracturing:
Cracks in the GOP Monolith: For the first time in his second term, Trump is facing significant "desertion" from Congressional Republicans. Reich highlights that nearly two dozen Republican senators recently voted against administration demands, signaling that they no longer fear his retribution as the midterms approach.
Institutional "Friction": Reich notes that the administration’s attempt to consolidate a "police state" and dismantle civil service agencies (Phase 2 of his authoritarian plan) has met unexpected resistance from state governors and legal challenges that the White House has been unable to bypass or ignore.
The "Emperor Has No Clothes" Moment: Reich suggests that when a leader who markets himself as a "winner" is forced to "cave" (citing the administration's recent retreats on the Epstein files and specific healthcare rollouts), the spell of invincibility is broken. Once voters and politicians see he can be beaten, the fear that sustains his power evaporates.
3. The "Phase 2" Counter-Strategy
According to Reich, the administration’s response to these "peeling" pillars is to double down on Phase 2: The Eradication of Opposition.
Demonization as a Distraction: Because the economic promises (Affordability) are failing, Reich argues Trump is pivoting to extreme rhetoric—calling the Democratic Party "radical left lunatics" and using political violence or the threat of it to maintain control.
The Litmus Test of Patriotism: Reich believes the White House is attempting to replace economic results with a culture of "loyalty tests," where supporting the President is the only definition of being a "real American."
The Final Verdict
Reich’s ultimate conclusion is one of cautious optimism. He believes that "Americans won’t fall for it." He argues that while the "boil" of authoritarianism is currently at its most "disgusting" and visible stage, the failure to deliver on the basic pocketbook issue of affordability will eventually lead to a collapse of the invincibility myth, allowing the nation to "lance the boil" and return to democratic norms.