DSA Leader Calls $49 Trillion Price Tag a ‘Made-Up Number,’ but Won’t Offer Her Own
Democratic Socialists of America co-chair Megan Romer dismissed a White House estimate that DSA policies would cost $49 trillion over a decade as a “made-up number,” then refused to offer her own price tag.
Romer appeared on Fox News’ “The Story” with Martha MacCallum after DSA-backed candidates posted midterm gains, Fox News reported.
The White House Council of Economic Advisers put the DSA wish list — including Medicare for All and student-debt cancellation — at about $49 trillion, or roughly $355,000 per American household over 10 years.
“The White House, who does not like us very much, managed to come up with some math that made us look bad,” Romer said. “But we don’t agree with these numbers.”
Pressed for an independent estimate, she said the cost “depends” on which programs are built and which are sunset.
“I’m not going to give you a solid number. That’s not what I’m here to do,” Romer said, arguing Americans should “democratically decide how we want our money to be spent.”
MacCallum contrasted the roughly $961 billion U.S. defense budget with the White House’s multi-trillion DSA scorecard during the exchange, according to Fox News.
Romer attacked overseas basing and defense contractors, saying military spending is “outrageous” and that healthcare for everyone would cost less than “illegal wars.”
In a July Fox interview, Romer stood by DSA goals that include abolishing the Senate, replacing the presidency and Supreme Court, eradicating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, abolishing borders and granting amnesty to illegal immigrants, Fox News noted.
Those maximalist aims are now colliding with a Democratic Congress that campaigned heavily on affordability after voters punished Republicans over gas, groceries and the Iran war.
Conservative outlets amplified the MacCallum clip as Exhibit A that the socialist wing will not put a number on its agenda even while claiming a mandate.
Romer’s dodge leaves Democrats with a political problem: voters who flipped seats over household costs are watching whether the new majority talks prices — or $49 trillion platforms it will not price.
Twitchy and other conservative outlets replayed the MacCallum exchange Friday as DSA-aligned lawmakers prepare to push Medicare for All and related priorities in the new Congress.
Romer’s refusal to name a cost leaves a vacuum the White House and Republican messengers will fill with the $49 trillion figure every time socialists claim an affordability mandate.
For a party that just won on kitchen-table messaging, the clip is a warning that the left flank’s agenda carries a sticker shock it will not own.
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