Donald Trump is mad. Not just at the economy or the state of the country—but at Jerome Powell, the very man he once picked to lead the Federal Reserve. Despite personally nominating him back in 2017, Trump is now calling Powell a “major loser” after some recent comments about inflation and interest rates. And yes, the irony is hard to ignore.
Why Jerome Powell’s Inflation Warnings Made Trump Explode
Last week, Jerome Powell warned that the U.S. could be facing a “challenging scenario” if tariffs go up. He explained that new tariffs could lead to higher prices, making inflation worse and slowing the economy. Even though he acknowledged that inflation has cooled off a lot since its mid-2022 peak, Powell said we’re still not quite where we want to be. The Federal Reserve’s goal is 2%, and in March 2025, inflation was at 2.4%. So, technically, we’re close—but not quite there.
Trump Says Powell Is a “Major Loser” Over Interest Rates
Why is the human money printer still around? Jerome Powell refuses to lower interest rates like he did to bail out Biden. Can Powell be fired?
pic.twitter.com/FLc5MTpMHn— Colette Harrington (@sweetcarolinatv) April 16, 2025
This didn’t sit well with Trump.
He lashed out on Truth Social, saying Powell should have lowered interest rates already. Trump argued that there’s “virtually no inflation,” pointing out that energy and food prices are trending downward. He claimed the Fed needs to make “preemptive cuts” before the economy slows. Then he dropped the insult:
“Mr. Too Late, a major loser.”
This feud isn’t new—Trump has criticized Powell for years. But this time, the stakes feel higher, especially with 2024 election energy still in the air. Trump even hinted (again) that Powell shouldn’t stay in his position much longer, although legally, removing a Fed Chair isn’t that simple.
Is Inflation Really That Bad Right Now?
Technically, yes—but it’s nothing like what we saw in 2022. Inflation is slowing in both the U.S. and Mexico. In the U.S., March 2025 closed with a 2.4% annual rate, and in Mexico, it edged up slightly to 3.80%, staying below the 4% limit. Jerome Powell’s caution isn’t unwarranted—economies are fragile, and overconfidence could be risky.
At the heart of this clash is a much bigger issue: who gets to decide the right move for the economy? Trump wants immediate action. Powell wants patience. And in the middle of it all, we’re left wondering who’s really got the better read on what’s next.
