Confirmed: Talarico is Crazy & The GOP Gave Up on Small Government. Now What? | 1834

Republicans call Democrats socialists. But what happens when their own answer is more spending, more subsidies, and a different plan for running your life?

Nate and Charlie examine James Talarico's economic agenda and argue that the GOP has surrendered the free-market case against it. From corporate taxes and Trump's tariffs to housing subsidies, grocery assistance, and healthcare, we ask who ultimately pays when politicians promise to make everything affordable. We also discuss the rumors surrounding Talarico's campaign absence, his denial, and why personal attacks are a poor substitute for debating policy.

Then we turn to Nick Shirley's Seattle EBT investigation, the disputed grocery-store allegations, and Charlie's challenge to the viral "one can of Spam" framing. That leads to a broader discussion of welfare incentives, benefit cliffs, and why eliminating fraud alone doesn't answer the libertarian objection to the system.

Plus: Ken Paxton, Trump's rallies, and our argument that Republicans have helped create their own political problems.

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00:00 Opening banter and Nate's game-show recap

03:25 James Talarico: campaign rumors and his response

11:50 AI speculation and the GOP's missing argument

15:06 Corporate taxes, tariffs, and the cost of living

18:24 Healthcare, Medicare, and insurance competition

22:45 Texas polling, Ken Paxton, and "socialism light"

27:05 Trump's rallies and midterm expectations