Resiliency and Change | Interview: Liz Hoffman

In this episode of The Remnant, Jonah Goldberg interviews Liz Hoffman, business and finance editor at Semaphore and author of 'Crash Landing,' about the current state of the U.S. economy, the impact of AI, and the chaotic economic policies under the Trump administration. Hoffman argues that while the U.S. economy has shown remarkable resilience despite tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and inflation, it is operating in a state of 'suspended animation'—with the full effects of supply chain disruptions and global instability yet to materialize. She warns that the rapid pace of AI development, while promising, poses serious sociological and spiritual risks, particularly for young, able-bodied men who may lose purpose without meaningful work. Hoffman critiques the Trump administration’s economic approach as driven more by nostalgia and personal power than coherent ideology, with policies like tariffs and immigration crackdowns inadvertently fueling inflation and labor shortages. She also discusses the dangers of prediction markets and the paradox of the U.S. embracing digital currencies while relying on the dollar’s reserve status. Despite the chaos, Hoffman sees significant bipartisan continuity in industrial policy, hawkishness toward China, and fiscal irresponsibility, suggesting that the real change may come not from ideology but from the need for predictability in an increasingly unstable world.