Jason Trennert, CEO of Strategas, appeared on Friday’s WarRoom and discussed three key economic issues with Brian Kennedy: the dangerous concentration of power in Washington, D.C., the concept of “Freedom Cities” as a path forward for American innovation, and the economic struggles of the common man as measured by Trennert’s “Common Man Index.”

He advocates for bold thinking to revive America’s greatness, stressing that President Trump’s vision of building “Freedom Cities” represents the innovative leaps the country needs rather than simply managing its decline.

“You don’t want to manage the decline of a great society. You want to take giant leaps forward in terms of innovation, and that’s what that kind of idea from President Trump, in my opinion, would do. It would allow people to dream bigger than what they see today,” Jason Trennert told Brian Kennedy about the concept of “Freedom Cities”

President Trump talking about Freedom Cities

The Concentration of Power in Washington, D.C. Is Dangerous

Jason Trennert points out a concerning trend in the United States: the overwhelming concentration of wealth and power in Washington, D.C. According to Trennert, nine of the 20 wealthiest counties in America are located in or around the nation’s capital. This wealth isn’t driven by private-sector innovation but by the government itself becoming an industry.

Lobbying has become a lucrative business, with power and influence increasingly centralized in Washington. This setup leads to a disconnect between the "overeducated elite,” as Trennert calls them, and the regular, hard-working American people.

Trennert believes that this concentration of power threatens the democratic process and distances government officials from the real-life concerns of everyday Americans. Decentralizing government agencies—moving them out of D.C. and into other parts of the country—could help reconnect federal institutions with the people they serve. He even suggests that moving federal departments, such as the Department of Education, to places like Texas would be healthier for the nation’s governance.

Freedom Cities: A Bold Vision for American Innovation

Trennert discussed one of President Trump’s most innovative proposals: the creation of "Freedom Cities.” These cities, built on federal land, would represent a new frontier in American economic development, providing jobs and promoting growth in manufacturing, housing, and infrastructure.

Though Trennert is typically skeptical of central planning, he sees merit in this idea. He notes that many American cities are plagued by bureaucratic stagnation, which hinders innovation and progress. In contrast, “Freedom Cities” would offer a chance for Americans to dream big again. They would be places where hands-on work—building houses, factories, and stores—could flourish, leading to new economic opportunities.

Trennert stresses that such a project could reignite the American spirit of innovation and hard work, creating cities that symbolize forward progress rather than the slow decline that many see in today’s urban centers. He underscores the importance of embracing large-scale projects that challenge the status quo rather than simply managing the decline of a once-great society.

The Common Man Index: A Clear Measure of Economic Pain

Trennert also discussed his "Common Man Index,” an alternative to traditional inflation measurements. The index focuses on the everyday essentials Americans need to survive, such as food, energy, shelter, and utilities—items that are often excluded from conventional economic measures like "supercore inflation.”

Trennert explains that under President Trump, the wages of everyday Americans rose faster than the cost of living, leading to a better standard of living for many. However, in the last three and a half years, inflation has outpaced wage growth in these essential categories, leaving many Americans struggling to make ends meet. This disconnect, he says, is why so many people feel disillusioned with the current economy, despite positive headlines about stock market performance.

For those living paycheck to paycheck, the economic reality is stark. The cost of basic necessities continues to rise while wages fail to keep up, creating a sense of unease and frustration. Trennert argues that policymakers must address these issues directly if they want to improve the lives of ordinary Americans.

Dream Bigger with Trump: Don’t Manage America’s Decline With Harris

Trennert clearly stated that America needs bold, innovative solutions to avoid managing its decline. He believes President Trump’s “Freedom Cities” vision represents the kind of forward-thinking approach the country needs. These cities would create jobs and offer a new model for American Progress that encourages dreaming bigger and taking giant leaps toward innovation.

He said the alternative—simply accepting the slow decay of American cities and institutions—is not an option in Trennert’s view. Instead, the country should seize the opportunity to decentralize power, promote economic growth, and rebuild its middle class.

For more of our coverage of Jason Trennert:

Misery Index Back: Common Man Feels the Pinch, Trennert Exposes Inflation Reality with Don Jr.

For more of our coverage on Inflation:

Voter’s Clean Energy Primer: The Dem’s Inflation Reduction Act Has a Dirty Secret, It’s a Boon for the Communist’s Economy

Kamala Harris’s Economic Blunders: The Irony of Price ‘Gauging’ and Inflation Fallout

For more context from Trennert from Friday’s WarRoom discussion: