Evening Roundup, December 12
Featuring Justin Wolfers & Jennifer Rubin, Daryn Dickens, Melissa Deckman, Fredric Frommer, Jamie Schler, Pets of the Week, and The Contrarian Podcast
Will 2026 Bring MORE Economic Uncertainty?
The first year of the Trump’s 2nd term economy has been nothing short of tumultuous. Foggy unemployment rates, a DOGE’d federal branch, Liberation Day, immigrant workers getting kidnapped out of the country—it’s hard to keep track of where the economy actually stands.
An Energy Shift at Howard
There is a specific kind of hope on Howard University’s campus—an optimism that feels bigger than education, bigger than youth, bigger even than ambition. It is hope rooted in legacy. A hope that says, “We come from people who changed the world, so why shouldn’t we expect to do the same?”
Trump: An Unpopular Populist President?
Americans are watching Trump’s immigration fiasco unfold before their eyes… and they don’t like it. The Public Religion Research Institute’s (PRRI) latest survey denotes a sharp shift in support for Trump’s immigration policies from earlier this year, even amongst former supporters.
When Jackie Robinson Called Out Eisenhower on Civil Rights
By Frederic J. Frommer
A letter soon to tour the country shows the slugger's frustration with the president.
Contrarian Pets of the Week, Holiday Edition
Meet Chevalier, Max and Matilda, Hershey, Piper, Grady and Lucy, Fred, Coco and Chanelle, Shanti and Sadie, and Charlie!
Cautious Optimism, Possible Disaster: Justin Wolfers and the Economy in 2026
2025 is almost at an end, and what a wild year it has been for the economy. Unclear unemployment numbers, trade deals announced through rambles on social media, something called ‘Liberation Day’ that lasted about a week, and constant turmoil over tariffs.
I enjoyed the Howard University and Jackie Robinson posts. Black history is American history.
Please let Norm know - I just finished The Last Palace. Absolutely amazing, rich with history, culture, politics, hardships and hope. Norm is a man of many talents!!