Donald Trump-related activity tracking.
2026
Jan14
On a Wednesday earnings call, Wells Fargo CFO Mike Santomassimo warned that former President Trump's proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates would have a "significant negative impact" on credit availability for a wide range of consumers and would hurt overall economic growth. This sentiment echoes broader industry concerns that such a cap would disrupt risk-based pricing, potentially forcing banks to cancel cards for higher-risk customers and pushing millions toward higher-cost, unregulated lenders.
Jan13
U.S. President Trump announced that more plans to reduce the cost of living for the public will be revealed in the coming weeks . This follows a series of recent proposals and discussions, including a call to cap credit card interest rates at 10% , potential tax rebates and tariff cuts , and upcoming meetings with oil and health insurance companies . The administration has also signaled a focus on housing reform and has been vocal about influencing the Federal Reserve, with plans to announce a successor to Chairman Powell . These initiatives are framed as key to the 2026 midterm election strategy, focusing on the issue of "pricing" .
U.S. President Trump praised the decline in core inflation and recent GDP growth. This is part of a consistent pattern of commentary where he argues that a strong economy and rising markets should be met with lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve, not hikes. He has criticized the market's 'good news is bad news' logic and warned that any future Fed Chair nominee must agree with his view. His administration believes its policies have fostered non-inflationary growth and that the Fed should cut rates. Trump has explicitly stated that low inflation data is a reason for Fed Chair Powell to lower rates.
President Trump has labeled the USMCA trade agreement as "irrelevant" and "not important" for the United States, suggesting that Canada is the party that truly desires the deal. These comments were made during a visit to a Ford factory in Michigan, where he advocated for returning manufacturing to the U.S. The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA in 2020, is scheduled for a mandatory review this year to decide its future.
The Trump administration has launched the "US Tech Force" program to recruit around 1,000 tech professionals, such as AI engineers and data scientists, for two-year federal government positions. With annual salaries ranging from $130K to $200K, the program aims to win the global AI race and modernize the government. It involves a partnership with over 20 tech giants, including Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and Google, who have committed to giving priority hiring consideration to program graduates. The initiative primarily targets early-career professionals and establishes a two-way talent flow between the government and the private sector.
President Trump's threats to control Greenland, potentially through military means, have sparked geopolitical concerns among investors. The move is seen as more credible following recent U.S. military action in Venezuela and is part of a series of disruptive statements. Fears that this could destabilize NATO and the global order have boosted safe-haven assets like gold and European defense stocks. This occurs alongside escalating attacks by the Trump administration on the Federal Reserve's independence, which have already caused the dollar and U.S. futures to fall, while gold has hit new highs.
Jan12
BlackRock's Senior Managing Director, Rick Rieder, has confirmed reports that he met with President Trump to discuss the role of Federal Reserve Chair. This comes as Trump continues his search for a successor to current Chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Trump has been openly critical of Powell, threatening to sue or dismiss him for not cutting interest rates aggressively enough and for alleged mismanagement. Trump has stated he has already decided on a candidate and wants a new Chair who will lower rates to boost the economy and stock market, with an announcement expected in January.
President Trump has warned that if the Supreme Court invalidates US tariffs, it would trigger hundreds of billions, or even trillions, of dollars in debt repayments, creating an unbearable fiscal burden and a "national security disaster" for the country. This comes as the court is expected to rule on the legality of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Estimates suggest importers could claim up to $150 billion in refunds if the tariffs are overturned. However, the Treasury Secretary has stated the administration has alternative legal authorities to maintain tariffs even if they lose the case.
In response to President Trump's proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, SoFi's CEO stated this would be beneficial for the company. The rationale is that traditional card issuers would be forced to drop higher-risk customers who would then turn to alternatives like SoFi's personal loans. This news has caused shares of fintech companies, including SoFi and Block, to rise, as analysts see a potential growth opportunity from borrowers seeking new credit avenues.
Due to President Trump's issuance of a criminal investigation subpoena to Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, concerns over the Fed's independence have risen, leading to a drop in U.S. stock index futures on Monday morning.
Trump has indicated the possibility of meeting with Iranian representatives, suggesting a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Iran.
President Trump has issued an executive order to penalize defense contractors who fail to promptly deliver weapons.
ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods stated that Venezuela is currently "uninvestable" during a White House meeting where President Trump was encouraging oil companies to invest $100 billion to rebuild the country's oil sector. Woods cited the need for significant legal and commercial framework changes, referencing past asset seizures. In response, President Trump expressed displeasure, calling Woods' stance an attempt to be "smart," and threatened to potentially block ExxonMobil from future opportunities in Venezuela. Despite the disagreement, ExxonMobil still plans to send an assessment team.
President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with ExxonMobil's response regarding investment in Venezuela, indicating a preference to exclude the company from related ventures.
President Trump expressed satisfaction with cooperation with Venezuela but dissatisfaction with ExxonMobil's response to the situation, preferring to exclude them from future dealings.
Jan11
Trump announced that oil and funds will no longer flow into Cuba, citing Venezuela's oil situation and the economic pressure on Cuba.
Trump announced a $200 billion purchase of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) to alleviate housing costs, sparking debate over its long-term effectiveness and concerns about Federal Reserve independence.
Jan10
President Trump has called for a cap on credit card interest rates at 10% starting January 20, 2026, for one year. This proposal, which requires Congressional approval, aims to protect consumers from high interest rates but lacks specific implementation details. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns, and the White House has not provided a detailed response.
Trump announced that mortgage rates have dropped to 5.7% due to his housing affordability policies and the authorization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds.
Jan09
Trump expressed his desire to reach an agreement with Denmark, particularly concerning Greenland, emphasizing either a peaceful resolution or more assertive measures.
