We've been so down in the gloomies for these last four winters of severe depression, illness, and death.

Two years ago today Joe Biden said this to his fellow Americans: “…For the unvaccinated, you're looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm.”

What an abysmal failure. Likely the worst President this… pic.twitter.com/gsbWP4GWVm

— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) December 21, 2023

Regular folks like me - probably you...maybe not David as he's pretty irregular - have had the brilliance of #Bidenomics and regulatory overreach up to their eyeballs.

Small businesses, the backbone of America, are tired of dealing with uncertainty and crushing wage mandates, while the big guys, the CEO of corporations that rule the international scene, have been feeling pretty glum themselves for years now. 

Between pandemic restrictions, geopolitical hotspots at every turn, Houthi Shooties making shipping a nightmare, drought in Panama, pestilence, interest rates, inflation, labor strikes, and a supercharged EPA on the climate cult warpath, it's been hard to chart any sort of growth course.

The doldrums were a Godsend because it seemed the end of the world was always lurking just around the corner. 

CEO business confidence seems to be reliable contrarian indicator 👇 We will find out soon if it’s different this time. (Goldman Sachs) pic.twitter.com/RT9qTRCGi4

— Michael A. Arouet (@MichaelAArouet) December 8, 2022

And if anyone could stumble into Armageddon, it would be the clubfooted Biden team.

Then little rays of Trumpian sunlight started peeking through the dementia-induced gloom, teasing the country with the hope that he could win this thing this time.

Little by little, he brought more skeptics, more non-believers, more 'he's not my favorite BUT' kind of supporters into the fold, and we pulled it off on November 5th.

Now we just have to get over the finish line - the real one. The right hand in the air, saying "I do solemnly swear" to the country one.

Counting, counting, counting down to Monday. 

Will I miss writing 'POTATUS' - yes. 

Will I miss POTATUS? HARD NO

The relief when that vile, desiccated sack of carbon finally stomps and totters his way out to Marine One for the last time will be palpable, and the joy? Overwhelming.

Leave - the both of you.

And that sense of optimism, that growing feeling that, while we can be sure things aren't going to be easy, they are going to be alright because we will be in good hands? It seems to be catching.

Even among the normally staid captains of industry and banking.

"My CONFIDENCE" these guys are saying publicly.

WATCH: Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son speaks with President Trump after announcing a $100B investment in America over the next five years:

"My confidence to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased because of his victory. Because of that, I am excited to commit… pic.twitter.com/X4GgtvPgpk

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 16, 2024

There's been a "meaningful shift in CEO CONFIDENCE"...

There's been a 'meaningful shift' in CEO confidence since Trump's election, says Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon https://t.co/c9vLdPoKnD

— Logan Ratick (@Logan_Ratick) January 15, 2025

...and they want to talk about it.

The election of Donald Trump in November and a swing back to Republican power in Washington is already starting to make an impact in the business world, according to Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon.

The bank executive said on a conference call Wednesday that other CEOs are feeling better about the direction of the economy and their businesses since the presidential election, even though Trump has yet to take office.

“There has been a meaningful shift in CEO confidence, particularly following the results of the U.S. election,” Solomon said, according to a transcript from FactSet.

“Additionally, there is a significant backlog from sponsors and an overall increased appetite for dealmaking supported by an improving regulatory backdrop,” he continued.

The comments line up with some survey data that suggests renewed confidence among business leaders. The latest Chicago Fed Survey of Economic Conditions showed an improved outlook for the next 12 months. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to its highest level since October 2018 in December.

It's not just the big guys sloughing off the detritus of POTATUS and crew. Small businesses are feeling a weight lifting, even though nothing tangible has happened yet.

Even though Donald Trump is not president yet.

Small Business Confidence Soars to 1983 Highs 🔥

🔊

The latest NFIB small business data blew past expectations on Tuesday, signaling a powerful surge in optimism just days before the Trump administration takes office.

In this clip from "The Macro Show," Hedgeye CEO… pic.twitter.com/eFiuS8fcYf

— Hedgeye (@Hedgeye) January 14, 2025

...In this clip from "The Macro Show," Hedgeye CEO @KeithMcCullough and Director of Research @HedgeyeDJ  break down the report, with “forward outlook expectations” hitting their highest levels since 1983. “Prior to this morning’s number, small businesses were in a bloody depression. These numbers were lower than 2008,” McCullough says. “In context, the U.S. economy is ripping, in expectations terms.”

CONFIDENCE

No mainstream corporation would go near Donald Trump 4 years ago

Tonight the Chairman & CEO of Coca Cola gave Trump the first ever Presidential Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke

We are witnessing the greatest character arc in history pic.twitter.com/wsnrmSAfWP

— Arynne Wexler (@ArynneWexler) January 15, 2025

It's as if the whole country can let the breath they've been holding in trepidation for four years whistle out slowly at last. 

Then, at long last, we get to take a collective, deep cleansing, invigorating one to replace it. 

Oh, to enjoy the feeling of oxygen getting to your brain again after four years of putrid fuzz!

Five days.

Beege Adds: We'd sure love to have you join us during this momentous week and, God willing, a kick-ass Trump presidency by taking advantage of our new Inauguration Sale for VIP memberships! Use the code POTUS47 to get 74% off of the usual rate, for new memberships and upgrades! (Be sure to check out our new VIP Platinum level for the best value!) The comment section here at HotAir is always so incredibly spirited, sometimes a complete hoot, and I've learned so much from the dynamite folks who are already VIP members.  Plus, your memberships keep our unique mix of conservative reports and opinions up and running, many of which the Left is doing its best to squelch. We appreciate the heck out of you all.