President Trump vs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell battle over rates

HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami has been tracking the battle between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over interest rates since the election. Below is an updated list of articles and podcasts on the topic.

August

[Podcast] Trump pivots to shadow boxing the Fed Chair Aug. 15
Treasury eyes Bowman, Jefferson and Logan for Fed Chair Aug. 11
[Podcast] Trump’s Fannie, Freddie IPO and the latest on the Fed Aug. 11
Trump appoints economic advisor Stephen Miran to Federal Reserve Board seat Aug. 7
[Podcast] Powell faces a mutiny at the Federal Reserve Aug. 7
The Fed could cut rates in September. Mortgage pros are skeptical of the impact Aug. 1
Adriana D. Kugler, who helps set interest rates, resigns as Fed governor Aug. 1
July jobs report miss puts September rate cut and lower mortgage rates in play Aug. 1

July

[Podcast]The Fed Empire strikes back July 31
What’s Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s next move on rate cuts? July 8
Government job growth kills possibility of July rate cuts July 3
[Podcast] Mortgage rates and the pressure on Powell July 3

June

[Podcast] Trump initiates a shadow Fed president June 27
Trump initiates plan to install a shadow Fed president June 26
Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman supports July rate cuts June 23
[Podcast] How Trump can influence Powell on mortgage rates June 23
FHFA Director Bill Pulte calls on Fed Chair Powell to resign June 19
Trump wants Powell to lower rates. Here’s how you do that June 19
[Podcast] Does the Fed have tariff derangement syndrome? June 13
Why jobs report won’t compel Powell to cut rates June 6
[Podcast] What is Trump’s real plan to handle Jerome Powell? June 2

May

FHFA Director Pulte calls on Powell to lower interest rates May 26
Why Trump needs lower rates: Homebuilder survey collapses May 15
The Fed is preparing for rate cuts, but waiting on job losses May 7
[Podcast] What a potential shadow Fed president looks like May 2

April

Will Trump install a shadow Fed president to get lower rates? April 29
[Podcast] The high-stakes battle between Trump and Powell April 21
Why President Trump wants to fire Powell now April 18
[Podcast] The civil war at the Fed April 18

March

[Podcast] Takeaways from the Fed meeting March 20
Showdown: The White House vs. the Fed on mortgage rates March 4
[Podcast] How the Fed is reacting to tariff drama March 3

February

[Podcast] How will mass firings affect mortgage rates? Feb. 21

January 2025

[Podcast] How many Fed rate cuts should we expect in 2025? Jan. 31
In leaving rates alone, Fed hides behind solid labor market Jan. 29
[Podcast] What to make of Trump’s call for lower interest rates Jan. 24
What’s behind Trump’s ‘demand’ for lower interest rates? Jan. 23

December 2024

Housing market data positive despite Powell’s Grinch act Dec. 21
[Podcast] The Fed’s 2025 game plan Dec. 19
The Federal Reserve’s housing recession dilemma Dec. 18

November 2024

[Podcast] After the election, does the Fed finally care about housing? Nov. 11
[Podcast] Mortgage rates under a Trump presidency Nov. 7
Where are mortgage rates headed under President Trump? Nov. 6

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