The Trump Effect: CEO Confidence Surges as Power Swings in Washington

EDITOR'S NOTES

Folks, we’re witnessing a tectonic shift in the boardrooms of America. Goldman Sachs’ top dog, David Solomon, just dropped a truth bomb: CEOs are riding high on a wave of newfound confidence since Trump’s election. Why? It’s the promise of lower taxes, slashed regulations, and a regulatory environment greased for dealmaking. But don’t be fooled—this isn’t just about business; it’s about power, control, and who’s really pulling the strings in Washington. The big question remains: Will this confidence trickle down, or are we watching a stage play for the elite’s benefit while the rest of us get breadcrumbs?

Derek Wolfe Jan 17, 25

The Full Scoop:

The power pendulum has swung back to the GOP, and CEOs are popping champagne bottles in boardrooms across the country. According to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Trump’s return to the White House is already sparking optimism among the business elite—an optimism Solomon says is “meaningful” and directly tied to November’s election results.

Even though Trump hasn’t officially taken office yet, the mere scent of a more “business-friendly” administration has unleashed a wave of confidence. “There has been a meaningful shift in CEO confidence, particularly following the results of the U.S. election,” Solomon said on a recent conference call, according to FactSet.

He wasn’t just talking in platitudes. Solomon pointed out that sponsors are sitting on piles of cash, ready to back new deals, and that a less restrictive regulatory environment is priming the pump for an economic free-for-all. Supporting his claim is the latest data: the Chicago Fed Survey of Economic Conditions shows brighter skies ahead, and the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index just hit its highest mark since 2018.

But let’s not lose the forest for the trees. While stock markets initially spiked post-election, many of those gains have evaporated thanks to rising interest rates. And here’s the kicker: JPMorgan execs are saying that all this CEO confidence hasn’t translated into loan growth yet. Translation? The money might still be locked up in the ivory towers, far from the hands of small business owners and average Americans.

Trump’s promises of tax cuts and deregulation are tantalizing to the corporate elite. Still, the shadow of tariffs and potential trade wars looms large, stoking fears of higher costs and economic disruption. The question is, will the average worker see a single dime of this so-called boom? Or will it all be swallowed up by the same corporate overlords who’ve spent decades rigging the system?

Goldman Sachs, for its part, is raking it in. Their fourth-quarter earnings blew past expectations, with profits doubling year over year. But don’t mistake this as a sign of widespread prosperity—it’s a windfall for the few at the expense of the many.

The Bottom Line:

The return of Trump is shaking things up, and the corporate world couldn’t be happier. But let’s not confuse the elite’s gains with real progress for the average American. Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and don’t trust the spin.

Before you go, arm yourself against the coming economic storm. Download Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure by Bill Brocius here. Knowledge is power, and power is freedom. Don’t let them catch you sleeping.