Is The U.S. Economy Actually Broken? The New Era Debate

The Trump administration says America has entered a “new kind of economy.” But what does that actually mean for working people?

In this segment, we look beyond the political and economic headlines and examine what workers are actually experiencing in 2026.

Housing remains painfully out of reach. Instability surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict threatens to push energy and transportation costs higher. At the same time, millions of workers—especially Gen X—are struggling to balance full-time employment with caring for children and aging parents.

And perhaps most revealingly, younger Americans are increasingly dipping into retirement savings to financially support their families.

So, are we really living in a “new economy”? Or are we looking at an economy where the risks have simply been shifted increasingly onto workers and their families?

Subscribe to the Labor Force Podcast for more conversations about work, wages, economic inequality, unions, and the changing American economy.

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