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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Cutting, squeezing, trimming -- and spending

    President Trump wants to cut government — except for Social Security and Medicare. At the same time, he wants to put people to work. So, a new infrastructure program might appeal to the Democrats, but Republicans say the money's not there without cutting those sacred entitlements.

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    By Warren Olney • Jan 24, 2017 • 1 min read

    President Trump wants to cut government — except for Social Security and Medicare. At the same time, he wants to put people to work. So, a new infrastructure program might appeal to the Democrats, but Republicans say the money's not there without cutting those sacred entitlements. As Trump begins work on a so-called "skinny" budget, he finds himself bound by vague campaign promises that may turn out to be contradictory. Don't forget major cuts for wealthy taxpayers. We look at early efforts at assembling a financial puzzle — even when the pieces don't fit.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Trump budget tries to square cuts and spending
    1. 1:23Trump signs orders on Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines
    2. 7:57Cutting, squeezing, trimming -- and spendingYou’re reading this
    3. 41:31Covering the White House when the media is the 'enemy'
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Jenny Hamel

      KCRW

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Alexander Bolton

      The Hill

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jared Bernstein

      Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

    • KCRW placeholder

      Peter Morici

      University of Maryland

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Trump budget tries to square cuts and spending
    1. 1:23Trump signs orders on Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines
    2. 7:57Cutting, squeezing, trimming -- and spendingYou’re reading this
    3. 41:31Covering the White House when the media is the 'enemy'
    Back to To the Point