Journalist Jackson Lears argues that the second Trump administration’s incessant activity reflects a deeper American current he calls animal spirits. Lears traces the idea back to 19th‑century optimism and shows how Trump’s brand of spontaneity and authenticity fuels his brand of politics, even as it splinters across foreign policy, trade and market moves daily discourse.

Lears compares Trump to historical figures like Roosevelt, noting that both harnessed a restless vigor that can spark growth or provoke war. He cites the Iran conflict as a case where Trump’s energetic drive triggered a costly intervention, illustrating how unchecked animal spirits can lead to destructive foreign‑policy choices that ripple into market uncertainty today.

On the financial front, Lears points out that Wall Street largely ignored many of Trump’s tariffs and gas‑price tactics, yet his public declarations—like claiming the Strait of Hormuz was open—fuel market volatility. Keynes’ theory that investment follows Keynes' animal spirits underscores how opaque decision‑making erodes investor confidence for stable growth in the market economy today.

Lears concludes that the same restless energy driving Trump’s politics also animates tech innovators and market actors, but without the reflection needed to temper excess. As the nation wrestles with this duality, businesses must navigate a climate where bold moves coexist with unpredictable policy shifts that can swiftly alter competitive dynamics for future growth in.