Andy Hirschfeld
andyreports.bsky.social
Andy Hirschfeld
@andyreports.bsky.social
Reporter / bylines: Daily Beast, Slate, Al Jazeera, CNBC etc / on-air: NPR, Marketplace etc / ex: CNN, CBS / andy@andyreports.com / views expressed are my own
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
With your Medicaid and SNAP money they stole to fund ICE.
Folks, he’s recruiting
July 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The White House keeps hiding under a nice headline but deeper numbers tell a different story. The GDP report out this morning showed an increase of 3% which is better than expected.
July 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
A Texas emergency management official said forecasts didn’t reveal the magnitude of the coming floods that killed more 130 people.
Texas Official Blames Forecasts for Delayed Floods Response
Models predicted a few inches of rain instead of the torrential onslaught that devastated Central Texas earlier this month, he said.
on.wsj.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
Literally the tech industry is fine with this nutter as long as they get what they want.
Trump is now mockingly mimicking trans athletes during his AI speech
July 23, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
However bad your day is, the clerk who drafted this opinion is having a worse day.
Yikes yikes yikes. Judge Withdraws Pharma Opinion After Lawyer Flags Made-Up Quotes:
July 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
NEW: “You can't be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book or anything else that you've read or studied, you're supposed to pay for,” Trump said. “We appreciate that, but just can't do it— because it's not doable.”

www.wired.com/story/presid...
Trump Says He's 'Getting Rid of Woke' and Dismisses Copyright Concerns in AI Policy Speech
The remarks, which came during a keynote speech at a summit hosted by the All-In Podcast, follow President Donald Trump's newly released AI Action Plan.
www.wired.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
“perhaps the most intraparty discontent Mr. Trump has experienced as president” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/u...
Republicans Are Breaking With Trump Over Epstein Files, Polls Show
www.nytimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The White House has unveiled its AI action plan. Among them are challenges to free speech, plans to fast-track construction of AI data centers by weakening environmental safeguards. There are just a few of the 90 proposals included.

Full story for Al Jazeera:

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Trump administration unveils wide ranging AI action plan
The plan is said to put pressure on China and build new data centers in the US.
www.aljazeera.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I took a deep dive into Zohran Mamdani’s econ policies that are going to help or hurt NYC. The investor class was up in arms on his win and voiced concerns that his policies would hurt business. But our analysis shows that is nothing more than fearmongering.

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Will Zohran Mamdani help or hurt New York’s economy?
Free buses, rent freezes and city-run grocery stores won over Democratic voters as investor class pushes back.
www.aljazeera.com
July 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The new looming tariffs on Brazil will increase the cost of beef if it takes effect.

Here's the story for Al Jazeera.

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Trump’s new Brazil tariffs could raise US beef prices
Because of droughts and increasing costs, beef buyers have relied more heavily on imports this year.
www.aljazeera.com
July 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I am working on a story about rising prices in the auto industry because of the new tax legislation and tariffs. I am looking to speak to: experts in the auto industry, owners of car dealerships anywhere in the United States, and shoppers who are looking to or recently bought a car.
July 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
On Friday, the President signed his new tax bill into law. Experts say it will have a detrimental effect on healthcare overall. Even if you don’t rely on Medicaid, your care could still be affected. Here’s the story:

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Don’t rely on Medicaid? Tax bill will drive up costs to your healthcare too
Changes to the Affordable Care Act Marketplace will result in premiums increasing by an avg of almost $1,300 annually.
www.aljazeera.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The looming tax legislation includes no tax on tips — a widely popular policy — but restaurant workers and their advocates see it as pandering, as the GOP seeks to cut Medicaid and SNAP benefits they disproportionately rely on. Here’s the story:

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
US restaurant workers say ‘no tax on tips’ undermined by benefits cuts
Restaurant workers point out that new work requirements don’t account for the unstable hours inherent in food service.
www.aljazeera.com
July 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
New @aljazeera.com investigation: Google’s Veo 3 can generate fake missile strikes, CNN reports, and protest footage in minutes despite claims it blocks "harmful results" Experts say it was rushed out despite known risks. Here's the story:

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Google’s AI video tool amplifies fears of an increase in misinformation
Experts say Veo 3 makes it very easy to make fake videos that can spread false news.
www.aljazeera.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Iran's strike on a US base in Qatar has quelled fears of an Econ retaliation, sending oil prices tumbling.

But with a very unstable ceasefire, that may not last. I broke down what could happen if Iran takes an econ route and what that would mean for consumers.

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
Fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire calms oil markets
Oil prices tumbled more after Iran struck US military base in Qatar, a sign Strait of Hormuz would stay open for now.
www.aljazeera.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The US travel industry is grappling with a dual threat this summer and both tied to actions from the White House. International travelers concerned about Trump's immigration rhetoric and policies, domestically its economic concerns.

Here’s the story:

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
‘Save what we can’: Economic uncertainty, Trump rhetoric hits US travel
US travel industry has been hit by domestic consumers cutting back and foreigners snubbing country over Trump rhetoric.
www.aljazeera.com
June 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Looking for restaurant workers who want to share their thoughts on the tax bill which includes no tax on tips but also cuts to Medicaid, SNAP etc that would impact workers in the industry for a story. Please email me at andy@andyreports.com
June 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Trump's economic policies have driven down factory orders, housing starts and consumer confidence in recent months. Now the job market is starting to catch up. This week's jobs report, ADP and JOLTS show job growth is starting to stall.

Here's the latest

www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
US economy adds 139,000 jobs as growth slows
The biggest gains were in healthcare, which added 62,000 jobs, while the economy lost 22,000 federal government jobs.
www.aljazeera.com
June 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Every day, the White House sends out press releases. While it's common for any administration to selectively highlight facts that support its narrative, this White House goes further—regularly including misleading information and, at times, outright lies.
June 4, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Buried in the tax bill is a provision that has been dubbed the revenge tax. If passed, it would allow the United States to impose additional taxes on entities from countries that it says impose unfair taxes on US firms. 

Here's my explainer for Al Jazeera
www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025...
What is the ‘revenge tax’ in the US tax bill?
Provision allows US to impose additional taxes on entities from countries that it says impose unfair taxes on US firms.
www.aljazeera.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Republicans have spent decades working to stack the judicial branch with ideologically aligned judges. These judges were carefully vetted, often through the Federalist Society.
May 29, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Avelo Airlines is now the first U.S. commercial airline flying deportation flights for ICE—the federal agency deporting migrants, often without due process.
Houston-based Avelo Airlines faces backlash for deportation flights
The first commercial airline to use its planes to deport migrants says contract ‘too valuable not to pursue’.
www.aljazeera.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
Reactionism has no policy goals, its only real desire is power. What they do with power is entirely up to them.

With no actual guiding populist ideals, the self-proclaimed "working-class Republican party" under Trump just keeps vomiting up more anti-poor Christianist policies.
Some thoughts on the long arc of JD Vance selling out his alleged pro-working-class values to rise to the pinnacle of MAGA, and on why deep Medicaid cuts are in sync with the real goals of Trumpism, properly understood:

newrepublic.com/article/1954...
May 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Andy Hirschfeld
The FTC is investigating Media Matters, questioning whether it colluded with advertisers for a boycott against X www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/t...
Regulators Are Investigating Whether Media Matters Colluded With Advertisers
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Trump’s escalating attacks on higher education are deeply concerning, though unfortunately not surprising. Instead of reflecting on policy failures or seeking to engage with the voters they struggle to reach...
May 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM