Seeing Beyond the Chaos of Today

Americans are extraordinary. We want certainty so we can plan, invest and feel secure. Yet we are willing to tolerate chaotic events, seeing beyond them to potential beneficial outcomes.

In the first eight months of his second term, President Trump has signed over 200 executive orders and taken hundreds of other actions that have shaken our deeply polarized nation. Tariffs, deportations, bombing Iran, deploying federal troops in U.S. cities, blowing up suspected drug boats, signing major legislation expected to further balloon the federal debt, dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, banning transgender athletes, and strong-arming colleges, broadcast companies and powerful law firms. The list goes on and on.

And through it all, the U.S. economy has chugged along, with the stock market reaching new highs and many corporations reporting record earnings so far this year.

How can this be? The answer is simple: Most Americans are savvy and taking a wait-and-see approach. They can see possible benefits from this chaos on the horizon. For instance:

Tariffs: An expected 15% to 18% tariff on imports might have less inflationary impact than predicted because exporters and importers might lower their prices to maintain sales.

Major legislation: Tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are expected to create benefits for some consumers and corporate America alike. More money in consumers’ hands means more spending and savings. Special tax incentives could prompt corporate America to increase capital expenditures and create thousands of jobs in coming years.

Immigration: Securing the border and deporting criminals might create safer communities and curtail out-of-control financial issues. Many major city budgets have been exhausted, including those in New York and Denver, as municipalities have struggled to provide services to asylum-seeking immigrants.

Energy: Regulatory rollbacks might allow international energy importers, like much of Europe, to purchase liquified U.S. natural gas instead of depending on Russian oil and gas, revenues from which finance the war in Ukraine.

Clearly, all is not rosy. The president’s unconventional and waffling diplomacy is unsettling for even his staunchest supporters. But so far, most Americans seem to be seeing through all the present turmoil, hoping it results in a stronger, more economically independent United States. Time will tell.