The Libertarian

Featuring the inimitable Richard Epstein offering his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law. Tune in to hear Epsteins take on breaking news stories via podcast or written word.

Author: The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin

Language: en

Genres: History, News, Politics

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Trump Flirts with Price Controls
Episode 13
Thursday, 15 January, 2026

President Trump’s recent embrace of economic proposals run sharply against free-market orthodoxy, exploring three headline-grabbing ideas: capping credit-card interest rates, banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes, and restricting dividends and stock buybacks by defense contractors. Why is a Republican president is advancing policies more commonly associated with progressive populism? Drawing on economic history, constitutional law, and real-world market behavior, Epstein argues that price controls, capital restrictions, and politicized contracting consistently backfire, harming consumers, workers, and innovation alike. The conversation situates Trump’s proposals within a broader populist strategy, assesses the political incentives behind them, and warns that ignoring basic economic lessons risks repeating some of the most durable policy failures of the past.