Chip Bok's Bokbluster

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The economy is booming but the Trump base is taking a hit.

GM is shutting down Chevy Cruze production at its 6 million square foot Lordstown plant. And Reason says the billion dollar cost of steel and other tariffs might have something to do with it. Steel workers are an important part of the Trump base. So are autoworkers and 1400 of them are about to lose their jobs.

Trump Base

“The U.S. saved General Motors, and this is the THANKS we get!,” tweets Trump.

Kevin Williamson at NR says it was dumb to bail out GM in the first place. American carmakers can’t compete on sedans with the likes of Honda or Audi. But they’re good at making trucks and SUVs people like. They should have focused on that sector long ago, he says. But we “paid them not to.”

Electric cars too. NPR reports the government subsidies electric cars to the tune of a $7,500 tax credit for buyers.

So now GM will focus on what it’s good at. In Mexico.