Rust Belt
Type: Location
As of November 2026, Rust Belt has been mentioned in 2 episodes across 2 podcasts, first heard May 2025 on SmartLess.
The Rust Belt, formerly the Steel Belt or Factory Belt, is an area of the United States that underwent substantial industrial decline in the late 20th century. The region is centered in the Great Lakes and Mid Atlantic regions of the United States. Common definitions of the Rust Belt include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The term "Rust Belt" is considered to be a pejorative by some people in the region.
| Mentioned in | 2 episodes on 2 podcasts (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| First heard | May 2025 on SmartLess |
| Type | region |
How do different shows talk about Rust Belt?
2 shows discussed Rust Belt in these episodes.
- The Ezra Klein Show — 1 episode
Described as the region where the penalty is strongest: working class heavy rust belt states.
The Double-Digit ‘Democratic Penalty’ | The Ezra Klein Show - SmartLess — 1 episode
Who talks about Rust Belt on podcasts?
Rust Belt came up; the most recent mention was Oct 2025 on The Ezra Klein Show.
- The Double-Digit ‘Democratic Penalty’ | The Ezra Klein Show on The Ezra Klein Show (Oct 2025)
- Pete Buttigieg | SmartLess on SmartLess (May 2025)
What is Rust Belt mentioned alongside?
Rust Belt is most often mentioned alongside Michigan, Democratic Party and Fox.
Mentioned together: Michigan, Democratic Party, Fox, Las Vegas, YouTube, Oval Office, Ohio, Washington, D.C., Iraq, Sherrod Brown