Apr 8, 2026, 12:09 PM ETInterview, Fireside Chat

Josh Shapiro on Trump, Iran War Chaos, Israel's Failure, the Economy, and 2028 Race

Pennsylvania has created more jobs than all but two states in the U.S. during Shapiro's tenure, maintaining the only growing economy in the Northeast.
The state has enacted seven tax cuts targeting small businesses, families (childcare), seniors, and working residents.
Permitting reforms reduced approval times to a top-five national ranking, with a "money-back guarantee" issued; 40 million permits have been processed with only five refunds for delays.
Specific permitting speedups include same-day licensing for barbers, estimated to add $4,000 annually per barber compared to a previous 20-day wait.
Unemployment in Pennsylvania has remained below the national rate for 32 consecutive months.
The state tripled funding for Vo-Tech and CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs to support workforce development for non-college graduates.
Shapiro eliminated the college degree requirement for most state government positions, resulting in 60% of new hires not requiring degrees.
Pennsylvania introduced the first-ever "Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit," providing roughly $800 to nearly 940,000 qualifying workers.

Shapiro ranks #1 in the U.S. for Medicaid fraud prosecutions, a legacy carried over from his previous role as Attorney General.
His administration maintains a "zero tolerance" policy on fraud, referring cases to prosecutors when administrative fixes are insufficient.
Shapiro opposes wealth taxes and asset seizures on unrealized gains, viewing them as counterproductive to economic growth.
He explicitly criticized the recent federal budget deal for cutting Medicaid, warning it could cause 500,000 Pennsylvanians to lose healthcare and shutter 26 rural hospitals.
He argues that federal tax cuts for the wealthy, funded by cuts to social programs, exacerbate economic disparity rather than solve it.

Shapiro governs with a divided legislature: a Republican-led Senate (2-seat margin) and a Democratic-led House (1-seat margin).
He attributes Pennsylvania's legislative successes on business reform to bipartisan cooperation, noting that 2025 midterm elections resulted in gains for Democrats in NJ, VA, and PA.
He defended the Democratic Party's internal debate process as healthy, arguing that resolving disagreements before the 2026 midterms positions the party to win.
Regarding the 2024 Vice Presidential pick, Shapiro denied being rejected due to being Jewish; he stated he withdrew his candidacy 48 hours before the selection of Tim Walz to focus on his gubernatorial duties.
Shapiro advocates for a "big tent" approach, emphasizing that the party must unite around education, safety, economic opportunity, and freedom rather than ideological purity tests.

Shapiro characterizes the recent war in Iran and Gaza as a "war of choice" with undefined objectives and no exit strategy.
He criticized President Trump for breaking campaign promises regarding non-intervention in the Middle East, specifically regarding Iran.
Shapiro described Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as leading Israel down a "dangerous and isolated path" that has fractured bipartisan U.S. support for Israel.
He supports a two-state solution but noted that a future Palestinian state cannot be led by Hamas, a terrorist organization.
He rejected the premise that U.S. policy on Israel causes antisemitism, labeling the conflation of Jewish Americans with Israeli government actions as an "oldest anti-Semitic trope" (dual loyalty).
He called for universal condemnation of antisemitism regardless of the political source, noting its presence on both the left and the right.

Shapiro described Congress as "pathetic" for failing to check the Executive Branch, specifically citing Speaker Johnson as a "rubber stamp" for President Trump.
He expressed concern over the abuse of the pardon power, citing the recent pardon of a crypto figure (CZ) and the perception that favors are exchanged at Trump's swim club.
He criticized the administration for self-dealing and family members enriching themselves, citing the Hunter Biden board seat as a precedent for potential corruption.
Shapiro argued that the Founders designed the separation of powers assuming "honorable people" would hold office, a norm he feels is currently broken.
He highlighted the economic impact of Trump's tariffs, noting a 30% increase in coffee prices, 19% in beef, and 36% in fertilizer costs for Pennsylvania farmers.

Shapiro proposed a $1 billion state fund for housing construction and repair, noting 50% of PA housing was built prior to 1950.
He identified "red tape" and regulatory delays as primary barriers to housing affordability.
He emphasized that the American Dream is currently hindered by the high cost of housing and the devaluation of non-college career paths.