Trump Rages at ‘FOOL’ Fed Chair for Defying His Demands
The president stepped up his name-calling after Jerome Powell spoke about tariff “uncertainty.”
Carlos Barria/Reuters
President Donald Trump attacked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as a “FOOL” on Thursday after the central bank chose not to lower interest rates over tariff uncertainty.
“‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell is a FOOL, who doesn’t have a clue,” Trump thundered in a Truth Social post. The insult is the latest in a string of shots Trump has taken at Powell while calling for rate cuts to boost economic growth during his chaotic trade war.
After the Fed chose to hold its key rate at 4.3 percent for the third consecutive meeting Wednesday, Powell told reporters that Trump’s tariffs had created “a great deal of uncertainty” and are likely to lead to ”a rise in inflation, a slowdown in economic growth, and a rise in unemployment.”
At a press conference, Powell also said Trump’s demand for rate cuts does not “affect doing our job at all.”

Trump unveiling his sweeping tariffs at the White House—Powell said the trade war is creating economic uncertainty.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
“I’ve never asked for a meeting with any president and I never will,” Powell said. “There’s never a reason for me to ask for a meeting. It’s always been the other way.”
Powell said the economy’s state remains “healthy” but is “shrouded in some very downbeat sentiment on the part of people and businesses.”
Powell’s obstinate refusal to do as Trump demands has triggered a furious backlash within MAGA circles and has seen several prominent figures call for his head—including Trump himself.
“Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social last month. Markets plummeted in response to the comment, leaving Trump to backpedal the following week by clarifying he has “no intention of firing” Powell.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog
