Mark Tepper joined Mornings with Maria to share powerful insights on the economic landscape amid the government shutdown. He discussed how President Trump’s strategic moves have exposed Democratic weaknesses and why Jim Comey’s indictment could reignite trust in the justice system. Mark also warned that the AI boom—currently fueled by massive CapEx—may stumble if companies can’t produce real returns soon. Additional topics include the record-breaking performance of gold and silver, potential rate cuts from the Fed, and a bullish outlook on bank earnings. This was a wide-ranging discussion that included concerns about socialism’s rise, the environmental costs of failed economic systems, and how AI is reshaping investing for Gen Z. Don’t miss Mark’s bold predictions for the 2026 economy and midterms.