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Would you trust an economist with your economy?

Planet Money

2025/08/02
Planet Money

Planet Money

2025/08/02

Shownote

Trust in experts is down. In all kinds of institutions and professions - in government, in media, in medical science... and lately, economists are feeling the burn acutely. In fact, President Trump just fired the economist who ran the Bureau of Labor Stati...

Highlights

In recent years, economists have found themselves under fire—not just for their predictions, but for the credibility of the entire profession. What was once a field trusted to guide national policy is now facing widespread skepticism. Political accusations, public doubt, and growing distrust in economic data have all contributed to a crisis of confidence in the experts who shape our understanding of the economy.
00:00
President Trump accused the BLS head of faking data without evidence
06:05
Only 25% of respondents trusted economists in a 2017 YouGov survey.
12:25
Politicizing economic data destroys public trust and decision-making capacity.
21:44
Economists are working to rebuild public trust through better communication and data transparency.
28:12
Economists should acknowledge past mistakes as part of rebuilding trust.

Chapters

Why are economists losing the public's trust?
00:00
How low is public confidence in economic experts?
06:05
Is economic data becoming politically weaponized?
12:25
Can economists bridge the gap between data and daily life?
18:50
What will it take for economists to earn back trust?
25:12

Transcript

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