Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast Justin Wolfers & Jacob Soboroff
13 snips
Jan 10, 2026 
Justin Wolfers, an economist from the University of Michigan, reveals the troubling economic signals under the Trump administration. He discusses issues like the credibility of job reports and how tariffs and uncertainty are stalling growth. Meanwhile, journalist Jacob Soboroff shares insights from his book 'Firestorm', detailing the catastrophic Los Angeles fires. He highlights the dangers of climate change, misinformation, and failing infrastructure while reflecting on the human impact and challenges faced in recovery. Their conversation uncovers deep connections between economy and environmental crises.
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Tariff Rhetoric Exceeded Implementation
- Tariff announcements were big but implementation lagged and contained many exceptions.
- Wolfers says actual tariff revenue and impact are smaller than rhetoric suggested, though tariffs remain historically large.
Confidence And Uncertainty Cripple Investment
- Confidence and uncertainty are major drivers of the U.S. slowdown beyond tariffs.
- Wolfers highlights CEO hesitation and regulatory unpredictability as reasons firms delay investment.
AI Buildout Masks Broader Weakness
- The stock market's gains largely reflect a global AI-driven buildout concentrated in data centers.
- Wolfers notes the broader U.S. economy (especially goods and manufacturing) is weak despite tech valuations.
