Trump throws tantrum over Fed Chair not doing what he wants
Trump lashes out over Powell’s refusal to obey him, calls the Fed Chair “stupid,” and suggests appointing himself
Donald Trump is once again attacking Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, this time because Powell won’t cut interest rates just because Trump says so. Standing on the White House lawn, Trump launched into a tantrum—calling Powell “not a smart guy,” accusing him of being political, and even joking about appointing himself as Fed Chair so he could control rates directly. Trump insists the economy is booming, yet demands emergency-level rate cuts—something the Fed typically only does during major downturns.
The bigger picture here is that Trump doesn’t seem to understand—or care—how the Fed actually works. The Fed is supposed to be independent, deliberately shielded from exactly this kind of political chaos. While past presidents might nudge the Fed quietly, Trump is publicly berating Powell for not doing his bidding, turning monetary policy into a loyalty test. It’s like watching someone scream at a thermostat and expect the weather to change. The contradiction is glaring: Trump says everything’s great but wants the Fed to act like we’re in a crisis. Powell, meanwhile, is sticking to the data—GDP, inflation, unemployment—while Trump just wants cheaper borrowing to juice the economy for his own benefit.
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