Paul Krugman: Chaos Is About to Take Its Toll

[applegrove]

Chaos Is About to Take Its Toll

April 24, 2025 at 7:35 am EDT By Taegan Goddard 36 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2025/04/24/chaos-is-about-to-take-its-toll/

Paul Krugman: “It has been amazing to watch the stock market gyrating in response to things that aren’t even policy changes — they’re hints and rumors of policy changes. Today’s Washington Post has an article with the headline ‘White House eases tone on tariffs on China but won’t be cutting them soon.’ OK, how much does the change in ‘tone’ tell you about what will actually happen?”

“Why, then, did stocks rise on this non-news? I’d say that the market is like someone caught in an abusive relationship — still in denial, seizing on every hint of decency as evidence that their partner is really changing their ways.”

“Apparently investors and the news media still haven’t learned that you can’t read supposed insider reports on administration thinking the way you could in a normal administration — as indications of where the policy process is headed. There is no policy process. Trump will zigzag based on who talked to him last.”

[dalton99a]

1. The extortionist and his gang are making billions from his market manipulations

[bucolic_frolic]

2. That's the approach to life now. Be nimble.

Take opportunities if you see them. When they show you a few % or a two day or two week move, take it. Rinse and repeat.

[markie]

3. "abusive relationship"

yes, it is an abusive relationship... not knowing when the next harsh word or beating will come... I used to shelter abused women in my home and I am all too familiar with the relationships... women would sometimes go back though.... until the kids started getting hurt....????

[Johnny2X2X]

4. They are actually know nothings

Trump is so fickle that he changes positions with the wind.

The economy cannot take this type of leaderless chaos. A recession has already been caused no matter what happens going forward.

[Martin Eden]

5. SOMEBODY is making a fortune from the market fluctuations

Let's remember three things about The Felon:

He's a megalomaniacal malignant narcissist.

He's a grifter.

He's a Russian asset, if not agent.

All three, but especially the last two, help to explain his tariff vacillations.

[Lonestarblue]

12. The Trump family is profiting hugely from this market manipulation.

As are those in Trump’s inner circle who know when he is changing the rules.

[Martin Eden]

13. I'll dash off a letter to Pam Bondi, demanding indictments

And to Mike Johnson, demanding impeachment.

And to Santa Clause, because I'm more likely to get what I want from him.

[dickthegrouch]

20. I have it on quite good authority

(My parents)
That Mr Claus is rather conservative and prone to giving poor spellers (particularly of his name) coal.
Therefore I doubt you are more likely to get what you want from him.

[Martin Eden]

22. OK, now I realize my mistake.

I had him confused with the Sanity Clause, which should be a requirement for high office.

[MadScout]

6. All I know is this...

Despite the “pause” on tariffs I still was charged 32% on my latest inventory order.

When I question DHL about it, they gave me 3 different answers. I heard it was 32%, 25% and 10%

Meaning they have no clue.

What it meant for me was an extra $2,000 in supply cost.

[MLAA]

8. Which country did your supplies come from?

Damn, I’m so sorry to hear you had such a huge impact. How much of that increase do you think you can recoup without losing sales?

[modrepub]

10. Would Be Nice

If the media abandon talking to Washington talking heads and Stock Market gurus and actually talked with people like you who are trying to deal with this directly. Some hard data on what’s actually happening on the ground is more useful than covering a feckless, fickle orange clown.

[IronLionZion]

11. They keep changing it

the inconsistency is screwing up a lot of business planning causing some to hold back until it settles down

[Raftergirl]

7. I don't know how they haven't learned this lessen yet. It's mindboggling to me.

[Amaryllis]

9. The boy who cried wolf....

[live love laugh]

14. It's a casino now ... and Trump's history with casinos is disastrous.

[LudwigPastorius]

15. "Trump will zigzag based on who talked to him last."

It's more likely that Trump will zigzag based on whether he told Donny Jr. to buy or sell the previous day.

Once Trump figured out that he can make the market jump like a frog connected to a car battery with just a tweet, he's not going to pass up the opportunity to make bank off of it.

[soldierant]

19. I hear you - but he's not actually that strong.

Particularly now, when he's seeing polls and his appeoval ratingdrop like a slasher's victim. There is evidence that in fact he has zigzagged based on the last person he has talked to. Not every time, but enough to get noticed.

[pbmus]

16. Summer of 2025

[erronis]

17. "... news media still haven't learned that you can't read supposed insider reports on administration ..."

Paul Krugman should know that the media is complicit (and probably profiting) from the flatulence emanating from this white house. If the media didn't pass the stink on to the populace then the pump-and-dump scheme wouldn't work.

[mdbl]

18. If the market were based on actual facts it wouldn't react so stupid

Problem is it's turned into a big casino of greed with very little foundation in finance. Someone has to lose for someone to win.

[pansypoo53219]

21. 'the apprentice' was all bullshit. they edited the chaos.

no. i never watched it cause i read SPY + i can't stand the short fingered vulgarian.

[Blue Owl]

23. It's like the stock market is dancing to "YMCA"