Josh Barro and Paige Cognetti: The World Is Going to Blame Trump

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller is joined by co-host Josh Barro and guest Paige Cognetti, the mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The conversation centers on the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict under Donald Trump’s second administration, which Barro and Miller condemn as a reckless, improvised military escalation with no clear strategy or plan. They argue that Trump’s decision to bomb Iran—inspired by the perceived success of the Venezuela operation—has triggered a global energy crisis, with oil prices soaring and supply disruptions already affecting airlines, shipping, and consumer goods. The economic fallout, including inflation, rising interest rates, and the risk of stagflation, is projected to devastate American households and global markets. Barro emphasizes that Trump’s failure to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve before the war, despite low oil prices, reveals a lack of foresight and planning. Miller and Barro also critique Trump’s attempt to deflect blame onto Iran and Europe, noting that voters will hold him accountable for rising gas prices regardless of narrative spin. The episode also examines the broader political dysfunction, including Trump’s symbolic appearance at the Supreme Court to challenge birthright citizenship, his tax gimmicks, and the rise of 'sloppulism'—a childish, arbitrary approach to policymaking that favors special interest tax breaks over coherent governance. In the second half, Miller interviews Paige Cognetti, who runs as an independent against Trump-endorsed Congressman Rob Bresnahan. She recounts her fight against entrenched political corruption in Scranton, her record of fiscal responsibility and anti-graft reforms as mayor, and her campaign to bring accountability to Congress by banning stock trading and cracking down on crypto and insurance industry abuses. Cognetti argues that Democrats must stop being the defenders of the status quo and instead champion real reform, especially in working-class communities where trust in institutions has eroded. The episode closes with a lighthearted roast segment, where Cognetti skewers her opponent and J.D. Vance with sharp wit, underscoring her authenticity and connection to her constituents.