{"id":130067,"date":"2026-09-07T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marinresists.com\/?p=130067"},"modified":"2026-09-07T11:14:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T18:14:23","slug":"the-fight-over-the-obama-switch-shows-how-trump-weaponizes-minor-irritations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/opinion\/obama-switch-cars-trump-irritations","title":{"rendered":"The fight over the \u2018Obama switch\u2019 shows how Trump weaponizes minor irritations"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>KEEP MSNBC ON THE AIR: SUBSCRIBE<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The water pressure in your shower feels weaker than it used to. Your favorite restaurant hands you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/top-stories\/latest\/trump-news-federal-resignations-firings-week-4-rcna191927\">a flimsy paper straw<\/a>. Your car\u2019s engine shuts off when you stop at a red light.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They\u2019re small frustrations, the little changes in how things work that upset your daily routine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the Trump administration has turned them into rhetorical gold, recasting minor irritations as part of a broader campaign by faceless bureaucrats, virtue-signaling environmentalists and power-hungry Democrats to dictate how Americans live.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest example came this week, when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/administration\/6062792-sean-duffy-lee-zeldin-start-stop-features-cars-emissions-rules\/\">celebrated the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s decision<\/a> to end a program that gave automakers credits for installing fuel-saving technologies, including automatic start-stop systems. Duffy called the feature his \u201cpet peeve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know the on-off, the stop-start button on your car? I hate that thing,\u201d he told an audience, sounding a little like a stand-up comic setting up a bit about the absurdities of modern cars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin then gave the complaint a more partisan tinge, calling start-stop technology \u2014 first developed in response to the 1970s oil crisis \u2014 the \u201cObama switch.\u201d He said it makes vehicles \u201cdie\u201d at red lights and stop signs, and claimed it kills car batteries \u201cwithout any significant benefit to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-rkv-video\" data-wp-interactive=\"msnbcVideo\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;post&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:42152,&quot;permalink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.ms.now\/ali-velshi\/watch\/jay-inslee-trump-and-zeldin-turn-epa-into-environmental-pollution-agency-by-revoking-climate-rule-244254277564&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/vs-newsencoding.akamaized.net\/MSNBC\/n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802\/1\/hls\/index.m3u8&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;jay-inslee-trump-and-zeldin-turn-epa-into-environmental-pollution-agency-by-revoking-climate-rule-244254277564&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Jay Inslee: Trump and Zeldin turn EPA into u2018Environmental Pollution Agencyu2019 by revoking climate rule&quot;,&quot;category&quot;:&quot;Ali Velshi&quot;,&quot;excerpt&quot;:&quot;Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has revoked the Endangerment Finding u2013 the 2009 scientific declaration that formed the legal basis for the federal government to regulate emissions. Rolling back restrictions on pollution u201cis a danger to human health,u201d former Washington Governor Jay Inslee tells Ali Velshi. Recognizing that carbon emissions lead to global warming u201cis not a matter of policy u2013 this is simply a matter of science.u201d Zeldin repealing the governmentu2019s recognition of this is u201csort of like heu2019s trying to repeal the law of gravity,u201d says Inslee. u201cThe next thing I expect for them is to order NASA not to show any pictures of the Earth showing [that] itu2019s round.u201d He says Trump and Zeldin u201chave turned the Environmental Protection Agency into the Environmental Pollution Agency.u201d&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;August 2, 2025&quot;,&quot;full_date&quot;:&quot;2025-08-02T14:49:52-04:00&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;07:23&quot;,&quot;durationSeconds&quot;:443,&quot;unique_id&quot;:4,&quot;mpx_guid&quot;:&quot;n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802&quot;,&quot;show_name&quot;:&quot;Ali Velshi&quot;,&quot;playlists&quot;:[&quot;Climate Change&quot;,&quot;Donald Trump&quot;,&quot;Health&quot;]},&quot;jwplayer_key&quot;:&quot;Y52d\/qsiqzaY8+ucPsAp7C+xgNdtLGZNVX77f7nClqcvQj2K&quot;,&quot;isMuted&quot;:false,&quot;isPaid&quot;:false,&quot;articleMaybeGated&quot;:false}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.init\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-flex-box\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"msnbc-video-placeholder-button\" data-post-id=\"4\"><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"visually-hidden\">Play<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-16x9_l size-16x9_l\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=1000,563 1000w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=860,484 860w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=760,428 760w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=560,315 560w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754160584682_n_velshi_DonaldTrump_Climate_EPA_EndangermentFinding_LeeZeldin_250802_1920x1080-2s5b9m-2.jpg?resize=50,28 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Tap to Unmute\" class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info-mute\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.unmute\" data-wp-class--is-unmuted=\"!context.isMuted\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"video-title\" data-wp-bind--href=\"state.post.permalink\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJay Inslee: Trump and Zeldin turn EPA into \u2018Environmental Pollution Agency\u2019 by revoking climate rule\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"video-date-and-duration\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span data-wp-text=\"state.post.date\">August 2, 2025<\/span> \/ <span data-wp-text=\"state.post.duration\">07:23<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To be clear, stop-start systems use batteries <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2017-06\/documents\/sae-2017-01-1211-modeling-validation-of-12v-lead-acid-battery-for-stop-start-technology.pdf\">designed to handle<\/a> repeated restarting. In testing, they improved fuel economy by <a href=\"https:\/\/saemobilus.sae.org\/papers\/auto-stop-start-fuel-consumption-benefits-2023-01-0346\">roughly 7% to 26%<\/a>, depending on driving conditions, reducing fuel use, emissions and the cost to drivers. The Obama-era program didn\u2019t require them, and ending the credit program won\u2019t stop automakers from putting them in cars. And Zeldin appears to be the one who decided the technology should be named after former President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But none of that matters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The point of these little fights isn\u2019t to win. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2025\/04\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-makes-americas-showers-great-again\/\">Low-flow showers<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/02\/ending-procurement-and-forced-use-of-paper-straws\/\">paper straws<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/12\/us-news\/lee-zeldin-says-hes-trying-to-end-obama-switch-that-makes-cars-turn-off-at-stoplights\/\">stop-start engines<\/a> are still widely sold. For that matter, so are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/91278591\/trump-wants-to-bring-back-incandescent-lightbulbs-factories-dont-make-them-anymore\">LED light bulbs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ehn.org\/trump-criticizes-electric-vehicles-with-stark-language\">electric cars<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/trump-weighing-executive-order-protecting-gas-stoves-sources-say-2025-01-07\/\">induction stoves<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/newsletters\/energy-environment\/5904856-trump-cuts-gas-to-electric-swap-from-energy-rebate-program\/\">heat pumps<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/trump-complains-about-low-flow-toilets\/\">low-flow toilets<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/nation\/trump-takes-aim-at-high-efficiency-household-items-hopes-to-make-showerheads-and-toilets-flow-greatly-again\">front-loading washing machines<\/a> \u2014 all of which Trump singled out for criticism at one point. The policy is irrelevant. It\u2019s a fight about vibes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Trump\u2019s telling, the older products worked just fine before environmentalists invented problems that do not exist. Democrats prodded bureaucrats to write new rules that would force everyone to buy an inferior replacement to address those nonexistent problems. And now Americans are left to suffer through the consequences every day, until Trump restores the country to the way it used to be.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>Even in broad strokes, the story does not hold up.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even in broad strokes, the story does not hold up. Much of the technology Trump idealizes was not as good as people remember. Older cars were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/sites\/nhtsa.gov\/files\/documents\/newer-cars-safer-cars_fact-sheet_010320-tag.pdf\">less safe<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2026-02\/420r26001.pdf?pubDate=20260227\">less efficient and slower<\/a> than today\u2019s models. Many affordable electric cars offer far better acceleration than conventional gas-powered vehicles, cost less to fuel and maintain, and come with safety features that were once reserved only for luxury cars, if they existed at all.<\/p>\n<p>The incandescent bulbs that <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/02\/11\/us-news\/trump-to-nix-biden-restrictions-on-water-using-appliances-lightbulbs-common-sense-standards\/\">Trump pined for<\/a> on the campaign trail might have been cheaper when you bought them, but they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-08\/ES-EE%20Lighting_080921.pdf\">wasted most of their energy as heat<\/a> and tended to burn out quickly. Modern LEDs use dramatically less electricity, last years longer and offer the same warm light that Trump said is more flattering.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Energy-efficient appliances are also better in many ways than the ones they replaced. Modern dishwashers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/products\/dishwashers\">use sensors and more efficient jets<\/a> to clean dishes better. More efficient washing machines <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/products\/clothes_washers\">use less water and spin out more moisture<\/a>, cutting the time and energy needed to dry clothes. Newer refrigerators often <a href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/best-top-freezer-refrigerators-consumer-reports\">keep food at a more consistent temperature<\/a> and run more quietly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-rkv-video\" data-wp-interactive=\"msnbcVideo\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;post&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:934303,&quot;permalink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.ms.now\/all-in\/watch\/flush-away-the-evidence-the-trump-toilet-obsession-takes-a-crooked-turn-132905541770&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/vs-newsencoding.akamaized.net\/MSNBC\/n_hayes_chrisopen_220210\/1\/hls\/index.m3u8&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;flush-away-the-evidence-the-trump-toilet-obsession-takes-a-crooked-turn-132905541770&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Flush away the evidence?: The Trump toilet obsession takes a crooked turn&quot;,&quot;category&quot;:&quot;All In with Chris Hayes&quot;,&quot;excerpt&quot;:&quot;Chris Hayes: u201cWe learned about another way the ex-President was apparently destroying documents. And it actually might answer one of the long-standing mysteries of the Trump administration.u201d&quot;,&quot;date&quot;:&quot;February 10, 2022&quot;,&quot;full_date&quot;:&quot;2022-02-10T20:13:51-05:00&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:&quot;08:49&quot;,&quot;durationSeconds&quot;:529,&quot;unique_id&quot;:5,&quot;mpx_guid&quot;:&quot;n_hayes_chrisopen_220210&quot;,&quot;show_name&quot;:&quot;All In with Chris Hayes&quot;,&quot;playlists&quot;:[&quot;Best of last night&quot;,&quot;Chris Hayes Commentary&quot;,&quot;Donald Trump&quot;,&quot;Republicans&quot;,&quot;White House&quot;]},&quot;jwplayer_key&quot;:&quot;Y52d\/qsiqzaY8+ucPsAp7C+xgNdtLGZNVX77f7nClqcvQj2K&quot;,&quot;isMuted&quot;:false,&quot;isPaid&quot;:false,&quot;articleMaybeGated&quot;:false}\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.init\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-flex-box\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"msnbc-video-placeholder-button\" data-post-id=\"5\"><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"visually-hidden\">Play<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-16x9_l size-16x9_l\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=1000,563 1000w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=860,484 860w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=760,428 760w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=560,315 560w, https:\/\/www.ms.now\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1644541961259_n_hayes_chrisopen_220210_1920x1080-0qvepd.jpg?resize=50,28 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Tap to Unmute\" class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info-mute\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.unmute\" data-wp-class--is-unmuted=\"!context.isMuted\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"msnbc-video-block-video-info-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"video-title\" data-wp-bind--href=\"state.post.permalink\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFlush away the evidence?: The Trump toilet obsession takes a crooked turn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"video-date-and-duration\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span data-wp-text=\"state.post.date\">February 10, 2022<\/span> \/ <span data-wp-text=\"state.post.duration\">08:49<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are trade-offs, but they are often not the ones Trump emphasizes. More efficient appliances can cost more upfront or be harder to repair. A lack of charging stations still makes long-distance travel less convenient in an electric car. And paper straws really are flimsy and irritating. But those limits do not turn every newer product into an inferior one \u2014 or every efficiency standard into an attack on everyday life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump also tends to overstate the government\u2019s role. Automakers adopted stop-start systems as a way to meet federal goals to make cars more efficient and reduce emissions. The Obama administration offered a credit for including them, but it didn\u2019t require manufacturers to install them or consumers to buy cars with them. The Biden administration directed federal agencies to reduce single-use plastics such as straws, but it didn\u2019t order your favorite restaurant to stop using them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But those distinctions are lost on the average voter. Politicians who try to counter his inaccurate claims just end up talking about straws \u2014 which makes it look like Trump was right to complain \u2014 or ignoring the topic. Sen. Elizabeth Warren famously demonstrated the latter response in 2019 when she flatly dismissed the plastic straws arguments as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/2019\/9\/5\/20850490\/elizabeth-warren-climate-change-forum-2020\">\u201cdistraction\u201d<\/a> from the more important subject of climate change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That may be true, but the real argument was never about engine switches or gas stoves or LED lights. Those were all just ways that Trump and other conservatives signal to voters who don\u2019t like how the world is changing that they understand those voters and that they\u2019ll fight to turn things back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To counter it, Democrats need to offer an equally compelling argument about how they\u2019ll make things better. They can take a cue from Trump and find the small annoyances that their voters dislike. Joe Biden tried this, pointing to the smaller size of Snickers bars and fees tacked onto concert tickets. But he focused too much on the annoyance, failing to connect it to a bigger picture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your bank is hitting you with excessive overdraft fees? That\u2019s what can happen when financial institutions face too little competition and when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerfinance.gov\/data-research\/research-reports\/data-spotlight-overdraft-nsf-revenue-in-2023-down-more-than-50-versus-pre-pandemic-levels-saving-consumers-over-6-billion-annually\/\">consumer protections are too weak to stop them<\/a>. Your lettuce is making you sick? That\u2019s what can happen when Republicans <a href=\"https:\/\/b93radio.com\/2025\/04\/17\/us-fda-suspends-food-safety-quality-checks-after-staff-cuts\/\">weaken inspections<\/a> meant to catch problems in the food supply. Your phone\u2019s cracked screen is too expensive to fix? That\u2019s what happens when tech companies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/reports\/nixing-fix-ftc-report-congress-repair-restrictions\/nixing_the_fix_report_final_5521_630pm-508_002.pdf\">unfairly restrict independent repair shops<\/a> that could fix it affordably.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minor annoyances aren\u2019t the reason the country is falling apart. But sometimes they can be a sign of the major problems that are.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/opinion\/obama-switch-cars-trump-irritations\">The fight over the \u2018Obama switch\u2019 shows how Trump weaponizes minor irritations<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\">MS NOW<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"rPeykc\" data-hveid=\"CAgQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQICBAB\"><span data-huuid=\"404242609266198093\">[[[[[[[[[[[[[[SAVE MSNBC: JUST SUBSCRIBE TO IT<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"rPeykc\" data-hveid=\"CAgQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQICBAB\"><strong> You can watch MSNBC online by <mark class=\"QVRyCf\">subscribing to a streaming service that includes MSNBC, such as Hulu + Live TV, Sling, or Peacock<\/mark>.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"2cdc2b80-60d3-4484-8c3a-27c5d3df598c\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"2cdc2b80-60d3-4484-8c3a-27c5d3df598c\" data-uuids=\"404242609266198093\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CAYQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQ3fYKegQIBhAB\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"rPeykc uP58nb\" data-hveid=\"CBYQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQIFhAB\">\n<p><strong><span role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">Hulu + Live TV<\/span><span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"1ec596c8-8b1a-40d7-9782-60bdd0c06427\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"1ec596c8-8b1a-40d7-9782-60bdd0c06427\" data-uuids=\"404242609266200375,404242609266197654,404242609266199936\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CBQQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQ3fYKegQIFBAB\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<ul data-hveid=\"CA8QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQm_YKegQIDxAB\">\n \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>Includes MSNBC, over 90 live TV channels, and access to Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu on-demand<\/strong><\/li>\n<p> \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>Costs $76.99 per month after a three-day free trial<\/strong><\/li>\n<p><\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"rPeykc uP58nb\" data-hveid=\"CBUQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQIFRAB\">\n<p><strong><span role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">Sling<\/span><span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"c38ae273-fac2-4d20-8e91-4660cbc8ec99\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"c38ae273-fac2-4d20-8e91-4660cbc8ec99\" data-uuids=\"404242609266198122,404242609266199497,404242609266197683\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CBMQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQ3fYKegQIExAB\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<ul data-hveid=\"CBIQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQm_YKegQIEhAB\">\n \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>Includes MSNBC as part of the Sling Blue package, which costs $40 per month<\/strong><\/li>\n<p> \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>Sling Blue also includes access to local channels and other news outlets like NBC and CNN<\/strong><\/li>\n<p><\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"rPeykc uP58nb\" data-hveid=\"CCEQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQIIRAB\">\n<p><strong><span role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">Peacock<\/span><span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"c4733246-1fa3-41b8-8905-f7a8ad007719\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"c4733246-1fa3-41b8-8905-f7a8ad007719\" data-uuids=\"404242609266199965,404242609266197244,404242609266199526\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc OJeuxf\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCIQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQ3fYKegQIIhAB\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<ul data-hveid=\"CCgQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQm_YKegQIKBAB\">\n \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>Includes MSNBC shows, new movies, hit shows, live sports, and more<\/strong><\/li>\n<p> \t<\/p>\n<li><strong>You can sign up for a Peacock account to start streaming<\/strong><\/li>\n<p><\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"rPeykc\" data-hveid=\"CB0QAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwiE2azs1P2KAxXTEEQIHRg_FRwQo_EKegQIHRAB\"><strong>You can also watch MSNBC on YouTube TV<\/strong><\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><\/div><p>This <a target='_blank'  href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/opinion\/obama-switch-cars-trump-irritations\">post<\/a> was originally published on <a target='_blank'  href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/\">this site<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KEEP MSNBC ON THE AIR: SUBSCRIBE &nbsp; The water pressure in your shower feels weaker&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ms-now","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The fight over the \u2018Obama switch\u2019 shows how Trump weaponizes minor irritations - Marin &amp; theNation 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