Quick Hits

Here’s a roundup of new charts, news items and data points that caught our eye.

The People (Kind of) Like DOGE

According to a new CBS News poll, DOGE is relatively popular, with 54% of Americans saying Elon Musk and DOGE should influence government spending and operations. More Americans see Musk’s spending cuts as a crackdown on waste (42%) rather than a loss of necessary programs (36%).

Bubba’s Two Cents: The media is in overdrive when it comes to Trump, DOGE, and Elon. That doesn’t mean their every move is brilliant, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the press often sees the world very differently than the average American.

The Price of Deficits

Per the latest Congressional Budget Office projections, every $1 trillion increase in deficits results in $192 billion in added interest costs over a decade, meaning that a $4.5 trillion increase in borrowing would lead to $860 billion in additional interest payments by 2035.

Bubba’s Two Cents: The national debt has surpassed $36 trillion, growing faster than the economy itself, which threatens long-term financial stability. If deficits aren’t controlled, the U.S. risks higher inflation, rising interest costs and a potential fiscal crisis that could undermine the dollar’s global standing. The bottom line is the current status quo is unsustainable.

The New GOP Voter

A new Echelon Insights poll reveals a significant ideological shift among Republicans, with a majority favoring the "New Right" approach over Traditional Conservatism on key issues such as immigration, economic policy, social challenges, and government intervention, indicating a growing preference for nationalism, cultural conservatism, and economic populism.

Bubba’s Two Cents: Some conservatives—particularly those who follow outlets like The Dispatch—still seem caught off guard when GOP voters back policies that break from traditional small-government ideals. While I respect that principled perspective and even share much of it, at some point, we have to acknowledge that today’s Republican Party isn’t the same one from 2016. I think it’s time to move on from this fight.

Political Consultants

A new study from Yale suggests that the so-called experts in political strategy are no more skilled than everyday Americans at picking out winning campaign messages.

Bubba’s Two Cents: The idea that political strategists are no better at predicting voter behavior than regular people taps into a much bigger theme—whether in media, public health, or government, the public is increasingly skeptical that so-called experts actually know best.

Big Job Cuts

Layoff announcements surged in February, hitting 172,017—the highest level since July 2020—with more than a third coming from Elon Musk’s push to cut federal jobs under Trump's directive to shrink government.

Bubba’s Two Cents: The economy isn’t necessarily in bad shape, and the Trump administration does seem to have an economic plan—even if it’s a controversial one—but their moves are undeniably putting pressure on people and fueling uncertainty. Tariffs are expected to be inflationary (as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged this week), mass layoffs from DOGE are hitting the labor market and Trump’s unpredictable shifts on economic policy are rattling the stock market. Even if these policies have a long-term strategy, they’re already making Americans nervous in the short term.

One Media Insight

In a surprising exchange during the debut of his new podcast, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke with conservative activist Charlie Kirk and acknowledged that Republicans dominate the media landscape, saying they “are flooding the zone with content, policy, and messaging — every. single. day.”

Bubba’s Two Cents: The media battleground has been transformed. Once dominant in Hollywood, culture, and the traditional press, Democrats have seen their grip on mass communication unravel. President Trump’s strategy—leaning on podcasts and a powerful social media influencer network—hasn’t just leveled the playing field; it’s put Republicans in the driver’s seat. Newsom’s admission reflects a reality that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Disaster Mayor

In a since-deleted tweet, embattled Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson—who has an approval rating of 7%—touted his administration’s $11 billion investment to build 10,000 affordable housing units. That breaks down to a staggering $1.1 million for each unit of “affordable” housing.

Bubba’s Two Cents: A growing wave of frustration with big-city leadership is showing up in voter attitudes. Concerns over crime and disorder have ticked up, and the 2024 election showed a clear shift toward Trump in urban areas as Americans look for alternatives.