The Monday Brief – Why Ignoring Trumps Economic Plan Will Cost You the Midterms – August 3, 2026

Watch on YoutubeToday’s show is a special Monday Brief with Susan Kokinda outlining a midterm strategy she says can defy the usual “party in power loses” narrative. Kokinda argues Trump is reviving the Hamiltonian “American System” associated with President McKinley—tariffs, internal improvements, and public-private credit—to reverse decades of deindustrialization driven by the Federal Reserve era, NAFTA, and financialization. She cites new manufacturing investments, steel and aluminum production gains, and expanded federal financing tools (Export-Import Bank, Defense and Energy programs, and Commerce initiatives) aimed at supply-chain security, critical minerals, and semiconductors. She highlights workforce needs via Mike Rowe’s “Build Freedom” partnership and references a July 24 White House science report emphasizing tacit shop-floor knowledge. In Q&A, they discuss data centers, recession appointments, job timelines, Nixon, and foreign-policy “hegemony,” concluding that a working-class realignment could drive a midterm upset.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:34 Midterms Conventional Wisdom02:46 McKinley Tariffs Revival05:24 Manufacturing Investment Surge08:38 Credit and Industrial Finance11:58 Skilled Trades Build Freedom13:04 Productive Powers of Labor17:15 FDR Realignment Midterm Play20:13 Wrap Up and Call to Action21:47 Q&A Flyers and PAC Pitch25:10 Data Centers Narrative28:57 Economy Is Trash Question31:59 Nixon and Party Realignment34:57 Hegemony and Sovereign Nations37:23 Senators Recess Appointments39:39 Jobs Timeline Factory Tracker43:41 Russia History and Values45:44 Closing Focus and Signoff Support our Political Briefings!Keep our work fierce, fearless, and 100% independent by becoming a paid Promethean Action newsletter subscriber for just $10 a month. Your subscription powers every deep-dive we publish—no corporate sponsors whispering in our ear, no annoying ads cluttering your screen. If you value honest analysis and want to help us keep shining a light on the real power plays shaping America’s future, hit that subscribe button now and stand with us. Subscribe for $10 a month Paid subscribers get access to the transcript, notes, links and references below! 👇 Read the full story Sign up now to read the full story and get access to all posts for paying subscribers only. Subscribe Already have an account? Sign in