In a candid discussion on Monday’s WarRoom, Peter Navarro and Kevin Hassett explored the economic implications of Kamala Harris’s emerging policies, painting a picture of an increasingly radical Democratic agenda.
According to Hassett, Harris, who once aligned herself with far-left figures like Bernie Sanders, is now unveiling an economic platform that is even more extreme. Hassett pointed out that Harris has backed away from her moderate stance, returning to policies that reflect her earlier, more radical views.
The conversation focused on the potential economic impacts of Harris’s proposals, especially her plan for government price controls on groceries.
Hassett described this as the “most left-wing platform” they’ve seen, warning that it could lead to disastrous consequences. “If the government decides that a company’s charging too much, they can hit it with exorbitant fines,” Hassett explained.
He highlighted the dangers of government-set prices, predicting that it would create shortages, long lines, and eventual closures of less profitable stores like neighborhood shops.
Navarro chimed in, noting that Harris’s proposals echo the failed policies of Venezuela. He expressed skepticism over whether Harris would back down from these policies, given her pride in the government’s existing price controls on drugs. “She celebrates price setting… which means she’s serious about doing it in the future,” Navarro stated. Both men emphasized the disastrous outcomes that could arise if Harris’s proposals were implemented, with Hassett warning that the plan could lead to widespread economic collapse.
The discussion also touched on Harris’s housing plan, which proposes a $25,000 grant for first-time homebuyers. Hassett criticized this idea as fundamentally flawed, arguing that it would only fuel housing inflation. “What that’s going to do is cause housing prices to rise by $25,000,” he remarked, noting that the real issue is supply, not demand. He contrasted Harris’s approach with Donald Trump’s plan to open up public lands for housing development, which he sees as a more effective solution.
Hassett further argued that Harris’s policies are symptomatic of a larger shift within the Democratic Party, where the far-left wing, led by figures like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, now holds significant influence. He noted that despite Biden’s campaign promises of moderation, his administration has been dominated by far-left policies. “They’ve decided that they’re going to let the left wing of their party run everything,” Hassett concluded, warning that this shift could have dire consequences for the country’s economic future.
In sum, Navarro and Hassett painted a grim picture of the economic vision being proposed by Harris and the Democratic Party, predicting that it would lead to severe economic disruption and hardship. Their discussion highlighted the stark contrast between Harris’s radical policies and the more market-oriented approach advocated by Trump and his allies.
A little Bio: Kevin Hassett is an American economist who served as the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. In this role, he was one of the president’s top economic advisers, contributing to the administration’s tax and economic policies, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Before his role in the Trump administration, Hassett held various academic and policy positions. He was a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he worked on economic and fiscal policy. Hassett also served as an economic adviser to Republican presidential campaigns and contributed to public discourse on economic issues through his writings and media appearances.
Hassett has a background in both academia and government, making him a prominent figure in economic policy circles. His work has focused on issues such as tax policy, economic growth, and the role of government in the economy.
For more context, watch the full interview between Peter Navarro and Kevin Hassert:
