Jessica Riedl
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social
Sr. Fellow @ManhattanInst. Past: Sen. Portman chief economist (2011-17), DC think tanker (2001-11), budget policy @ 4 prez campaigns. Independent. Formerly Brian Riedl. Views mine.🏳️🌈
Pinned
Jessica Riedl
@jessicabriedl.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Slowly migrating from toxic Twitter (@Brian_Riedl). I post:
-Rapid-response (right of center) economic policy from a longtime DC policy veteran.
-So many charts – budget, spending, taxes, deficits.
-Contempt for both parties.
-Social libertarianism, tolerance, & civility.
-Wisconsin sports rants.
-Rapid-response (right of center) economic policy from a longtime DC policy veteran.
-So many charts – budget, spending, taxes, deficits.
-Contempt for both parties.
-Social libertarianism, tolerance, & civility.
-Wisconsin sports rants.
Let's say you take out a $400,000 mortgage loan at 6.25% - and choose a 50-year mortgage instead of 30 years.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
INGRAHAM: Is a 50 year mortgage really a good idea?
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Let's say you take out a $400,000 mortgage loan at 6.25% - and choose a 50-year mortgage instead of 30 years.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
As always, it's appalling at the same time it's so cheap, tawdry, and embarrassing. What a pathetic, shabby little gangster.
Trump on Mamdani: "He should be very nice to me. He's off to a bad start. I think it's a very dangerous statement for him to make."
November 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
As always, it's appalling at the same time it's so cheap, tawdry, and embarrassing. What a pathetic, shabby little gangster.
NEW from me @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social. Secretary Bessent has proclaimed that monthly budget figures show a rapidly declining budget deficit. But he is confusing small timing shifts for major policy changes. Deficits are set to continue rising. 🧵 thedispatch.com/article/defi...
Scott Bessent Is Wrong About Deficit Reduction
There are no quick fixes or easy solutions for trillion-dollar deficits.
thedispatch.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:43 AM
NEW from me @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social. Secretary Bessent has proclaimed that monthly budget figures show a rapidly declining budget deficit. But he is confusing small timing shifts for major policy changes. Deficits are set to continue rising. 🧵 thedispatch.com/article/defi...
I'm trying to figure out how sending $7 billion to Africa to save 20 million lives from HIV (many of whom are kids) is an outrage (America First! We can't afford it) ... yet somehow sending $20 billion to Argentina is affordable, wise, and responsible.
October 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I'm trying to figure out how sending $7 billion to Africa to save 20 million lives from HIV (many of whom are kids) is an outrage (America First! We can't afford it) ... yet somehow sending $20 billion to Argentina is affordable, wise, and responsible.
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
this shit would be a bit much for news anchors in Pyongyang
September 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
this shit would be a bit much for news anchors in Pyongyang
NEW from me. Trump wants to take over the Federal Reserve and lower interest rates in part because he believes it will cut federal budget interest costs by "$1 Trillion per year."
In @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, I show that fiscal dominance would NOT reduce interest costs very much. 🧵
In @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, I show that fiscal dominance would NOT reduce interest costs very much. 🧵
Trump Can’t Fix the Deficit by Attacking the Federal Reserve
The president claims lower interest rates would save us $1 trillion annually. He’s wrong.
thedispatch.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
NEW from me. Trump wants to take over the Federal Reserve and lower interest rates in part because he believes it will cut federal budget interest costs by "$1 Trillion per year."
In @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, I show that fiscal dominance would NOT reduce interest costs very much. 🧵
In @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, I show that fiscal dominance would NOT reduce interest costs very much. 🧵
Trump campaigned on a trade war and immigration crackdown. And farm-heavy counties still gave him 78% of the vote.
Sorry guys, you voted for this. Enjoy the consequences!
Sorry guys, you voted for this. Enjoy the consequences!
September 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Trump campaigned on a trade war and immigration crackdown. And farm-heavy counties still gave him 78% of the vote.
Sorry guys, you voted for this. Enjoy the consequences!
Sorry guys, you voted for this. Enjoy the consequences!
NEW from me. In the @washingtonpost.com.
I examine the emerging debt crises that are destabilizing the British and French governments - and how America faces similar economic & fiscal challenges on an even deeper level. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
I examine the emerging debt crises that are destabilizing the British and French governments - and how America faces similar economic & fiscal challenges on an even deeper level. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Britain and France’s debt crises are bad. America’s will be worse.
Washington’s fiscal failings mirror Europe’s economic mess.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:36 PM
NEW from me. In the @washingtonpost.com.
I examine the emerging debt crises that are destabilizing the British and French governments - and how America faces similar economic & fiscal challenges on an even deeper level. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
I examine the emerging debt crises that are destabilizing the British and French governments - and how America faces similar economic & fiscal challenges on an even deeper level. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
MAGA Twitter is really a sight to behold right now. One cis white male tragically murdered another, and somehow the *transgender community* is responsible and must be stripped of their constitutional rights.
It is just dangerous ugliness from unhinged, fanatical bigots.
It is just dangerous ugliness from unhinged, fanatical bigots.
September 14, 2025 at 2:53 AM
MAGA Twitter is really a sight to behold right now. One cis white male tragically murdered another, and somehow the *transgender community* is responsible and must be stripped of their constitutional rights.
It is just dangerous ugliness from unhinged, fanatical bigots.
It is just dangerous ugliness from unhinged, fanatical bigots.
This political era is all about vengeance & escalation. Impose maximum suffering on the other side. They started the war, and they are evil, sick, and must be destroyed. Civility & grace is for losers & wimps. Real leaders fight - no apologies, no mercy.
We desperately need de-escalators.
We desperately need de-escalators.
September 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This political era is all about vengeance & escalation. Impose maximum suffering on the other side. They started the war, and they are evil, sick, and must be destroyed. Civility & grace is for losers & wimps. Real leaders fight - no apologies, no mercy.
We desperately need de-escalators.
We desperately need de-escalators.
NEW from me. My new video for @reason.com says fine, tax the rich, but recognize that it cannot eliminate more than a small fraction of the soaring budget deficits. And no, those old 91% tax rates and the European tax systems do not prove otherwise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0x1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0x1...
The Uselessness of Taxing the Rich
YouTube video by ReasonTV
www.youtube.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:09 AM
NEW from me. My new video for @reason.com says fine, tax the rich, but recognize that it cannot eliminate more than a small fraction of the soaring budget deficits. And no, those old 91% tax rates and the European tax systems do not prove otherwise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0x1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0x1...
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, former chief economist to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) & director of budget and spending policy for Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign👇🏽
September 1, 2025 at 10:57 AM
senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, former chief economist to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) & director of budget and spending policy for Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign👇🏽
NEW from me at The Dispatch. Imagine if a president could just eliminate border spending on a whim. Or gut defense, Medicaid or veterans spending. Even defund SCOTUS after a decision, or end SocSec in blue districts.
This is the power Trump seeks with impoundment. 🧵
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
This is the power Trump seeks with impoundment. 🧵
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
Shattering the Separation of Powers
Presidential impoundment Is dangerous and unconstitutional.
thedispatch.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
NEW from me at The Dispatch. Imagine if a president could just eliminate border spending on a whim. Or gut defense, Medicaid or veterans spending. Even defund SCOTUS after a decision, or end SocSec in blue districts.
This is the power Trump seeks with impoundment. 🧵
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
This is the power Trump seeks with impoundment. 🧵
thedispatch.com/article/trum...
It turns out that - no surprise - the White House had been illegally hiding a key federal spending database in order to obscure that it was beginning to illegally impound spending, as it had prevously signaled it would do. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump budget officials claim sweeping spending power from Congress, records show
Russell Vought, the White House budget director and architect of Project 2025, would have vast authority to approve or block billions in federal spending, the records show.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:41 PM
It turns out that - no surprise - the White House had been illegally hiding a key federal spending database in order to obscure that it was beginning to illegally impound spending, as it had prevously signaled it would do. 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
1) The BEA (Commerce Dept) measures GDP - not BLS.
2) That stratospheric pre-2012 election GDP estimate showed... 2.0% growth.
3) Zero evidence of these estimates being rigged.
4) That DOD jump was driven by the looming sequester.
These conspiracy theories are absurd and sad.
2) That stratospheric pre-2012 election GDP estimate showed... 2.0% growth.
3) Zero evidence of these estimates being rigged.
4) That DOD jump was driven by the looming sequester.
These conspiracy theories are absurd and sad.
Kevin Hassett suggests the Bureau of Labor Statistics rigged the 2012 election for Barack Obama
August 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
1) The BEA (Commerce Dept) measures GDP - not BLS.
2) That stratospheric pre-2012 election GDP estimate showed... 2.0% growth.
3) Zero evidence of these estimates being rigged.
4) That DOD jump was driven by the looming sequester.
These conspiracy theories are absurd and sad.
2) That stratospheric pre-2012 election GDP estimate showed... 2.0% growth.
3) Zero evidence of these estimates being rigged.
4) That DOD jump was driven by the looming sequester.
These conspiracy theories are absurd and sad.
Trump firing the BLS director for a bad jobs report - days after demanding the Smithsonian remove him from the list of impeached presidents - is banana republic stuff.
If a Democrat pulled these stunts, Republicans would be setting themselves on fire outside the White House.
If a Democrat pulled these stunts, Republicans would be setting themselves on fire outside the White House.
August 1, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Trump firing the BLS director for a bad jobs report - days after demanding the Smithsonian remove him from the list of impeached presidents - is banana republic stuff.
If a Democrat pulled these stunts, Republicans would be setting themselves on fire outside the White House.
If a Democrat pulled these stunts, Republicans would be setting themselves on fire outside the White House.
NEW from me. In today's Washington Post, I show that the Trump White House's promise of $6 to $7 trillion in ten-year tariff revenue is fantasyland math.
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Tariffs will pay for tax cuts? The White House can’t be serious.
Trump officials say trillions of dollars in tariff revenue will pay for their tax cuts. Don’t hold your breath.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
NEW from me. In today's Washington Post, I show that the Trump White House's promise of $6 to $7 trillion in ten-year tariff revenue is fantasyland math.
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Tariffs may offset just 3% of ten-year deficits (or 1/6 of the new tax cuts) with lots of economic pain.🧵
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
So a government drowning in trillion-dollar deficits would borrow $150 billion more at 4.5% interest rates that taxpayers will be paying forever, in order to compensate us for higher tariff prices that they deny are actually happening. Makes sense.
July 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
So a government drowning in trillion-dollar deficits would borrow $150 billion more at 4.5% interest rates that taxpayers will be paying forever, in order to compensate us for higher tariff prices that they deny are actually happening. Makes sense.
For those interested who may have missed it or just seen clips - my full interview on PBS @firinglineshow.bsky.social is posted below.
I address the new tax cuts, soaring debt, DOGE, Social Security, Medicare, tariffs, inflation, and firing Jerome Powell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTN...
I address the new tax cuts, soaring debt, DOGE, Social Security, Medicare, tariffs, inflation, and firing Jerome Powell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTN...
Jessica Riedl | Full Episode 7.25.25 | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS
YouTube video by Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS
www.youtube.com
July 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
For those interested who may have missed it or just seen clips - my full interview on PBS @firinglineshow.bsky.social is posted below.
I address the new tax cuts, soaring debt, DOGE, Social Security, Medicare, tariffs, inflation, and firing Jerome Powell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTN...
I address the new tax cuts, soaring debt, DOGE, Social Security, Medicare, tariffs, inflation, and firing Jerome Powell. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHTN...
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
"If businesses are going to invest in long-term factories, they need predictability and consistency out of Washington," says Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social.
"Not a president turning the tariff dials every five minutes."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4lPez7n
"Not a president turning the tariff dials every five minutes."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4lPez7n
July 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"If businesses are going to invest in long-term factories, they need predictability and consistency out of Washington," says Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social.
"Not a president turning the tariff dials every five minutes."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4lPez7n
"Not a president turning the tariff dials every five minutes."
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4lPez7n
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
Is America careening toward a debt crisis?
Conservative economist @jessicabriedl.bsky.social talks about how we got here--and how to fix it.
Don't miss our new interview airing on @pbs.org this weekend on Firing Line.
bit.ly/4feltkc
Conservative economist @jessicabriedl.bsky.social talks about how we got here--and how to fix it.
Don't miss our new interview airing on @pbs.org this weekend on Firing Line.
bit.ly/4feltkc
July 26, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Is America careening toward a debt crisis?
Conservative economist @jessicabriedl.bsky.social talks about how we got here--and how to fix it.
Don't miss our new interview airing on @pbs.org this weekend on Firing Line.
bit.ly/4feltkc
Conservative economist @jessicabriedl.bsky.social talks about how we got here--and how to fix it.
Don't miss our new interview airing on @pbs.org this weekend on Firing Line.
bit.ly/4feltkc
Tonight - and again over the weekend (and online) - you can catch PBS Firing Line and my 30-minute interview discussing the tax cuts, the debt, tariffs, inflation, and the Federal Reserve.
"Today's Republicans have seemingly given up on conservative economics."
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
July 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Tonight - and again over the weekend (and online) - you can catch PBS Firing Line and my 30-minute interview discussing the tax cuts, the debt, tariffs, inflation, and the Federal Reserve.
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
"Today's Republicans have seemingly given up on conservative economics."
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
July 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
"Today's Republicans have seemingly given up on conservative economics."
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
Manhattan Institute senior fellow @jessicabriedl.bsky.social discusses tariffs and trade deals, Trump's #BigBeautifulBill, and the threat of rising debt.
FRIDAY @pbs.org
Local listings: to.pbs.org/39hI6Tf
No sentient human could possibly believe that Trump wanting to fire Powell really has anything at all to do with some explainable building cost overruns that Powell has little to do with - and that roughly equal the 4-year projected cost of Trump's taxpayer-funded golf outings
Trump: It looks like it’s about $3.1 billion
Powell: I’m not aware of that.
Trump: It just came out
Powell: You just added in a third building
Trump: It’s a building that’s being built
Powell: It was built five years ago.
Powell: I’m not aware of that.
Trump: It just came out
Powell: You just added in a third building
Trump: It’s a building that’s being built
Powell: It was built five years ago.
July 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
No sentient human could possibly believe that Trump wanting to fire Powell really has anything at all to do with some explainable building cost overruns that Powell has little to do with - and that roughly equal the 4-year projected cost of Trump's taxpayer-funded golf outings
Reposted by Jessica Riedl
Should economic conservatives oppose the new tax cut law?
A 60-minute debate hosted by OpentoDebate.Org.
Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute against the bill.
vs.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Heritage Foundation for the bill.
Watch below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk-d...
A 60-minute debate hosted by OpentoDebate.Org.
Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute against the bill.
vs.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Heritage Foundation for the bill.
Watch below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk-d...
Two Conservatives Debate: Is the Big, Beautiful Bill a Disaster?
YouTube video by Open to Debate
www.youtube.com
July 18, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Should economic conservatives oppose the new tax cut law?
A 60-minute debate hosted by OpentoDebate.Org.
Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute against the bill.
vs.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Heritage Foundation for the bill.
Watch below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk-d...
A 60-minute debate hosted by OpentoDebate.Org.
Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute against the bill.
vs.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Heritage Foundation for the bill.
Watch below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk-d...