The Wright Report 20 JAN 2026: One Year of Trump: Promises Made, Promises Kept? // A.I. Revolution: New A.I. Tool Is Bad News for Key Workers // Global Updates: China's Babies, Taiwan's Drones, Iran's Protestors, CIA's Secret Trip
Jan 20, 2026
A deep dive into Trump's first year reveals successes and limits in addressing the economy and global respect. The AI Revolution threatens even skilled jobs, with a focus on emerging tools like Claude Opus that automate engineering tasks. Global tensions rise with China's first drone incursion into Taiwan and Iran's crackdown on protestors, while a secret CIA meeting hints at a stabilizing Venezuela. This discussion highlights both political radicalism in the U.S. and crucial insights on navigating an AI-driven future.
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Reshoring Is Partial, Not A Gusher
- Industrial reshoring shows modest progress with some firms returning but many moving to Southeast Asia instead.
- Wright notes CEO pay caps and limits on buybacks form part of the administration's attempt to prioritize domestic production.
America's Global Respect Has Increased—Mostly
- Wright argues U.S. global standing improved in Latin America and the Middle East via diplomatic pressure and interventions.
- He cautions relationships with some Arab states (e.g., Qatar) raise strategic and ethical questions.
Asia Strategy: Force And Engagement
- Asia policy mixes assertive pressure on China with trade and security deals with Japan, South Korea, and others.
- Wright flags tension: progress versus China but puzzling openness to Chinese students and investment.
