# #373 Chris Whalen: Why We Could See Double-Digit Inflation, Rationing, & Fed Hikes

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-julia-la-roche-show-5842803/373-chris-whalen-why-we-could-see-double-digit-inflation-rationing-fed-hikes
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-julia-la-roche-show-5842803/373-chris-whalen-why-we-could-see-double-digit-inflation-rationing-fed-hikes.md
Podcast: [The Julia La Roche Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-julia-la-roche-show-5842803)
Published: 2026-05-23T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/julia-la-roche/episodes/373-Chris-Whalen-Why-We-Could-See-Double-Digit-Inflation--Rationing---Fed-Hikes-e3jot9f
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/41aa63c4/podcast/play/120402671/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-22%2F424706827-44100-2-1b87ad3de04ec.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2031

## Resource

In this episode of The Wrap, Chris Whalen breaks down how the Iran war situation is sinking GOP hopes for the midterms as he predicts double-digit inflation by year end driven by critical petroleum product shortages, with John Dizard warning rationing is coming to the United States for intensive products like gas turbine lubricants. Whalen explains the Fed will be forced to hike rates as early as July according to Diane Swonk, representing a dramatic shift from rate cut expectations just weeks ago, though raising rates won't help with external war-driven inflation and politics will eventually force cuts if the economy slows. He reveals real gas prices are actually low when adjusted for 15 years of dollar purchasing power loss, discusses how the politics of affordability will reshape the landscape with Republicans at risk of losing both House and Senate, and maintains his long gold position as inflation hedge while viewing silver as a commercial play on technology demand. Whalen details Kevin Warsh's strategy to shrink the Fed balance sheet while credibly cutting short-term rates by forcing markets to absorb more duration, explains why the 1970s stock market stagnation differs from today due to demographics and higher stock ownership, predicts Social Security will eventually be means-tested as the math has reversed from 10 workers per retiree to the opposite, and argues passive investment mechanisms killed crypto with Wall Street ETFs now controlling price action. Thank you to our partners at Goldco. Get your free 2026 Gold & Silver Kit at https://goldco.com/thewrap or call 855-573-0817 Links: The Institutional Risk Analyst: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/ The Wrap: https://www.theinstitutionalriskanalyst.com/post/theira847 Inflated book (2nd edition):…

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