URGENT UPDATE: Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman unleashes a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump after being labeled a “Deranged BUM” on Truth Social this past weekend. This public clash comes amidst Trump’s controversial response to rising crime concerns in Washington D.C., where he has threatened to federalize local law enforcement.
The heated exchange began when Krugman criticized Trump’s handling of economic issues, including tariffs and a disappointing jobs report. In a post titled “Trump Plays the Carnage Card,” Krugman not only dismissed Trump’s insult but humorously added it to his Substack profile, indicating he feels “flattered” by the attention.
In a shocking escalation, Trump announced on Monday plans to deploy 800 National Guard troops to Washington D.C. following an incident involving Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a former DOGE staffer who was reportedly attacked during an attempted carjacking on August 3. Trump shared graphic images of Coristine from the scene, asserting that crime in the city is “out of control,” despite data showing that violent crime reached a three-decade low last year.
Krugman vehemently countered Trump’s depiction of D.C. as a “violence-ridden dystopia,” labeling it “malicious nonsense” aimed at instilling fear and deflecting attention from economic weaknesses. “Anyone who either lives there or looks at crime data knows this is a fabrication,” Krugman stated. He questioned whether the public would recognize Trump’s claims as absurd and highlighted the implications of an authoritarian takeover by the former president.
The economist also referenced conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein to emphasize Trump’s tactics of distraction. Although the Trump administration declassified documents related to Epstein in February, they were heavily redacted and failed to provide significant revelations. A recent memo confirmed Epstein’s death as a suicide, further complicating Trump’s attempts to shift the narrative.
Local leaders are reacting strongly to Trump’s actions. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the federal intervention as an “authoritarian push,” criticizing the president for undermining local governance. Krugman expressed concern that Trump’s narrative could mislead many Americans about the realities of crime in the nation’s capital.
As this story develops, all eyes remain on how Trump’s increased military presence will impact the city and whether his portrayal of Washington D.C. will resonate with the public. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comments on this escalating situation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent matter as it unfolds.