ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Wes Moore has launched a new lunchtime video series in which he sits with Maryland business owners, hears how expensive everything has become, and heroically investigates every possible cause except the people running Maryland.

In the latest episode, a small-business owner explained that costs are rising.

Moore reportedly leaned in, furrowed his brow, and discovered the culprit:

Trump.

A stunning breakthrough.

Not Maryland taxes.

Not utility bills.

Not permits.

Not regulations.

Not wage mandates.

Not insurance costs.

Not the state budget.

Not Annapolis.

Just Trump, apparently roaming the Chesapeake region at night, personally raising invoices.

The new series is expected to be titled:

“Pull Up a Chair While I Blame Somebody Else.”

Each episode follows the same format.

A Marylander says:

“I can barely afford to operate.”

Moore says:

“That’s unacceptable.”

The business owner begins listing state-controlled costs.

A producer tackles them before they can finish.

Then everybody blames Washington and eats fries.

It’s basically Diners, Drive-Ins and Deflection.

Future episodes reportedly include:

“My Electric Bill Doubled — Is Trump Living in the Breaker Box?”

“My Business Moved to Virginia — Clearly a Federal Plot”

“Why Does Maryland Need This Many Taxes?”

Episode mysteriously unavailable.

“Why Does Every Permit Require Six Agencies?”

Governor suddenly remembers another lunch appointment.

Moore says he wants Maryland businesses to “come out ahead.”

Fantastic.

Perhaps Maryland could begin by not standing behind them rifling through their pockets.

The state has achieved the rare economic miracle of making entrepreneurs feel like they’re running a business, paying rent, funding government, and participating in an escape room simultaneously.

Every month brings a new challenge:

Find the hidden fee before Annapolis finds you.

The governor’s communications team insists tariffs are hurting businesses.

Maybe.

But if your house is on fire and your governor arrives carrying gasoline while yelling about a brush fire in Washington, eventually somebody should ask about the gas can.

That question, however, does not fit comfortably between appetizer and dessert.

One Moore adviser explained:

“The governor is deeply committed to addressing affordability, provided affordability can be addressed without changing anything Maryland government does.”

That appears to be the entire show.

Episode after episode, Moore tours Maryland finding people squeezed by costs while somehow never bumping into the policies produced by the building where he works.

It’s almost impressive.

The man could tour the Comptroller’s Office, Department of Labor, Public Service Commission, and General Assembly chamber and still emerge announcing:

“We have located the problem. It is 40 miles south.”

The season finale reportedly features Moore sitting beside a business owner buried underneath permits, tax bills, electric bills, licensing fees, and regulatory paperwork.

Moore carefully studies the pile.

Looks directly into the camera.

And whispers:

“Trump.”

Roll credits.

As for this alley cat, I’ll watch.

But only because nobody has figured out how to tax dumpster scraps yet.

Give Annapolis another session. 🐾