Hayes: Trump’s reflecting pool deal looks as CORRUPT as you think

In this segment of MS NOW, host Chris Hayes discusses the current state of the U.S. economy, specifically focusing on rising inflation and what he characterizes as the controversial pet projects of President Donald Trump.

Economic Concerns:

• Rising Inflation: Inflation reached nearly 4% last month, the largest increase of Trump's second term, with price increases outpacing wage gains (0:00 - 0:25).
• Presidential Responsibility: While inflation is often driven by external factors, Hayes argues this specific crisis is linked to Trump's policies, particularly the war on Iran, which he claims has pushed inflation and gas prices higher (0:49 - 1:07).
• Public Disapproval: Hayes notes polling data showing that 70% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, with many blaming him for the rising cost of living (1:09 - 1:28).

Presidential Pet Projects and Potential Corruption:

• Ballroom and Reflecting Pool: Hayes highlights two specific projects—demolishing the White House east wing for a ballroom and renovating the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool—funded at taxpayer expense (3:53 - 4:02).
• Ballooning Costs: The Interior Department reports that the reflecting pool project is costing over seven times what was originally estimated (5:09 - 5:13).
• Questions of Corruption: Hayes discusses a New York Times report revealing that the contract for the reflecting pool was awarded on a no-bid basis to a firm with ties to Trump's own golf club in Virginia (5:31 - 5:50, 6:16 - 6:23).
• Project Management: Hayes questions the urgency cited to bypass standard bidding procedures, noting that government documents show the contract's current value matches an original offer that included a 20% profit margin (6:23 - 7:07).