Trump’s Economic Policies Face Growing Scrutiny as Challenges Mount

The MeidasTouch Podcast opens with a striking image: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posting a photo of himself with Jake Paul at the Treasury Department, calling the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s path “a distinctly American story.” Host Ben Meiselas immediately draws the parallel: “Jake Paul is to professional boxing, as the United States is to being a credible actor right now in the international competition for being viewed as a stable and predictable player in global economic affairs.” The point lands hard — Jake Paul isn’t really a professional boxer, and the U.S. isn’t really acting like a serious economic power.

The Economic Reality Behind the Theater

The numbers tell a grim story. U.S. diesel prices hit a fresh record high of $6.45 a gallon, up 40 cents in a single week. In California, diesel is approaching $9 a gallon — if you can find it at all. Some areas in Southeast Michigan and Northern Texas are simply running out of diesel. Airlines are warning they’ll cut flights. Saudi Arabia says it can’t ship crew to Europe for the foreseeable future, as Houthi attacks continue to disrupt shipping.