Trump posts Powell dumpster meme, blames Fed for high rates

President Donald Trump posted a meme on Truth Social showing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell falling into a dumpster, renewing a public attack on the central bank days before Powell’s expected final Federal Open Market Committee meeting as chair. The post’s caption read, “Too Late is a DISASTER for America. Interest Rates too high!”

The image depicts Powell mid-fall into an open dumpster filled with paper. The visual updates a longer-running criticism from Trump that Powell waited too long to cut rates and is moving too slowly to lower them now. Trump has said sharply lower borrowing costs would reduce pressure on consumers and support economic growth.

Powell has kept policy rates higher for an extended period, citing persistent inflation, and has defended a cautious approach to cutting borrowing costs. Powell’s term as chair is winding down and market participants are watching the upcoming FOMC meeting for signals on the Fed’s next policy steps. Trump has previously threatened to remove Powell from the post; White House legal advisers have said such a removal would likely face court challenges.

The administration has nominated allies to vacant Federal Reserve governor seats whose views align with a faster path to rate cuts. Those nominations change the pool of decision-makers at the Fed and are part of a broader push by the White House to influence monetary policy.

Crypto and other risk markets adjusted positions ahead of Powell’s expected final meeting. Bitcoin and several major altcoins showed lower leverage and reduced open interest, indicating traders cut exposure to higher-risk positions. Market volatility rose as investors weighed monetary policy uncertainty.

In recent weeks the administration implemented tariffs on European-built vehicles, expanded measures targeting Iran, and tightened federal oversight of artificial intelligence by requiring review of new AI models before public release. Traders and investors are monitoring both White House policy actions and signals from the Federal Reserve for indications of future market direction.

The Truth Social post adds visual emphasis to the ongoing dispute between the White House and the Fed. Market participants are tracking developments at Pennsylvania Avenue and the Federal Reserve’s Eccles Building for cues ahead of the FOMC decision and potential changes to central bank leadership.