#216 Chris Whalen: If Trump Administration Gets Serious About Deficit, Rates Will Fall Without Fed

The Julia La Roche Show

Chris Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors and author of The Institutional Risk Analyst, joined the Julia La Roche Show (Ep. 216) to share his outlook on markets amid the transition to a new Trump administration. Whalen explains why the markets want to see seriousness about deficit reduction from the incoming administration, discusses his views on Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary pick, and outlines why showing progress on the deficit could drive rates lower without Fed intervention. He also delves into the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the return of bond vigilantes, and why Bitcoin's rise is his favorite inflation indicator.

Links:

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rcwhalen

Website: https://www.rcwhalen.com/

The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/

Stanley Middleman book: https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Around-Corners-Achieving-Business/dp/B0D5PTSJVC/

Timestamps:

**Timestamps:**

00:01 Introduction to Chris Whalen

00:54 Post-election cabinet picks and macro overview

03:16 Analysis of Treasury Secretary pick Scott Bessent

05:04 Discussion of Treasury debt and market implications

06:14 Treasury priorities and impact on rates

07:31 Federal Reserve policy and market normalization

09:25 Long-term vs short-term rates outlook

11:25 Housing market forecast

13:22 Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac conservatorship discussion

17:16 GSE stock trading outlook

19:11 Fed rate cut implications for market narrative

21:49 Recession and credit market concerns

23:17 Inflation discussion and Bitcoin indicator

25:49 Gold policy recommendations

27:07 Tariffs and trade policy analysis

29:28 Department of Government Efficiency outlook

31:35 Government headcount reduction impact

34:44 Closing thoughts on Treasury markets