Dean Baker's Beat the Press

Ezra Klein, David Shor and Elite Excuses: The Hermetically Sealed TikTok Influencer

Ezra Klein offers some ideas about why Democrats are not reaching voters who don’t closely follow politics. But does his argument make any sense?

Mar 18, 2025

By Dean Baker

Ezra Klein at a wood desk on a book tour promoting his book

The Masses Were Saying Things Were Good, Not the Democrats

News outlets continue to amplify those who say the economy struggled during the Biden administration — even when they have no data to support their claims.

Mar 17, 2025

By Dean Baker

Close-up of a newspaper with the headline Economy prominently displayed. The paper is partially folded, with blurred text surrounding the headline. In the foreground, there are out-of-focus coins. The image suggests financial news or economic reporting.

Can We Have Media That Inform People?

Since people are genuinely confused by the word ‘tariff,’ wouldn’t it be more helpful for reporters to use terms that are less likely to be misunderstood?

Mar 16, 2025

By Dean Baker

A group of cameras mounted on a tripod, surrounded by various camera equipment and accessories, set up for filming.

News for Elon Musk and the DOGE Gang: Government Can be More Efficient than the Private Sector

Is the private sector truly more efficient? Find out how government agencies, like Social Security, prove otherwise.

Mar 14, 2025

By Dean Baker

Close-up of scissors cutting a Social Security card on a beige fabric surface. The card features a blue border with white text, partially revealing the words Social Security at the top. The scissor blades are metallic, with blue handles, poised to slice through the card diagonally.

The Social Security Administration Predicted Joe Biden’s “Great Replacement” 20 Years Ago

If Musk and the DOGE boys ever did their homework (generally a good idea for those interested in “efficiency”) they could have looked at the 2005 Social Security Trustees Report. They then would have discovered the plans for the Great Replacement.

Mar 14, 2025

By Dean Baker

The front of a building displaying the text

Government Efficiency and DOGE Government “Efficiency”

Uncover the careless tactics of Elon Musk and the DOGE team regarding Social Security and their misunderstanding of the program.

Mar 13, 2025

By Dean Baker

People gather on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Building to protest the current happenings in the country including the overreach of the DOGE and the inaction of Congress. The rally was held on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC on March 10, 2025.

Trump Tariffs and the Dollar as the World Reserve Currency

While his on-again, off-again tariffs appear to be a ridiculous self-own by Trump, there are some who see a brilliant plan buried underneath the nonsense. Let’s evaluate the evidence for this theory.

Mar 12, 2025