Fox News’ top political analyst, Brit Hume, has openly blamed former President Donald Trump’s unpredictable economic decisions for the ongoing turbulence in the stock market. Speaking on Monday during a discussion with host Bret Baier, Hume said that Trump’s behaviour is making it difficult for investors to feel confident about the economy, especially with constant changes and uncertainty surrounding major financial decisions.
On the same day, the stock market experienced a significant decline. The Dow Jones fell by 971.82 points, representing a decline of approximately 2.48 per cent. The S&P 500 dropped by 2.36 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite went down by 2.55 per cent. Additionally, the U.S. dollar reached its lowest level in three years, contributing to the growing sense of concern among investors.
Hume didn’t hold back while sharing his concerns. He said that it is nearly impossible for people to have a “peaceful, easy feeling” about the economy when Trump continues to make bold and unexpected moves. According to Hume, the market has been shaky since the announcement of tariffs a month ago, and Trump’s recent comments are exacerbating the situation.
Hume said, “There isn’t much that’s happening right now that’s going to give investors a peaceful, easy feeling about the state of the economy and therefore the state of the markets, which have been turbulent, but mostly down now since the announcement of the tariffs.”
One of the biggest concerns for Hume is Trump’s public attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump has been repeatedly blaming Powell for not lowering interest rates quickly enough. He believes that lower rates would help support the economy during this time of high tariffs and trade tensions. But instead of working behind the scenes, Trump has taken the fight public, using his social media platform, Truth Social, to criticise Powell in harsh language.
On Monday, Trump posted another angry message targeting Powell. He wrote, “There can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW.” Trump also accused Powell of trying to help Joe Biden and Kamala Harris win the 2020 election by lowering rates at the wrong time.
According to Hume, such public disputes between a former president and the Fed contribute to instability. He explained that financial markets typically dislike uncertainty, and the same holds true for the broader economy. When there is confusion about what lies ahead, investors hesitate to put in their money, and companies delay hiring and expansion. This lack of confidence can affect economic growth.
Hume said, “Instability is something that markets do not like, and economies really don’t either because when people are uncertain about what the future lies, they are hesitant to invest, and to hire, and to do the things you need to have an economy go and grow, which is obviously what the president is seeking.”
He added that while Trump may still manage to succeed with his plans, history shows that trade wars don’t usually end well for any of the countries involved. The unpredictability of such situations often leads to negative results, not just in the financial world but also in the broader economy.
As of now, most of Trump’s tariffs have been paused for 90 days. However, a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese goods still remains, and this has created a major strain on trade and business. These types of heavy tariffs make it more expensive for companies to purchase goods from China, resulting in higher prices for American consumers and businesses.
Hume’s comments come at a time when the financial world is already dealing with several problems, including global inflation, interest rate uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions. Trump’s public battles with financial institutions are only adding to the pressure, making it even harder for markets to remain stable.
What makes things worse, according to Hume, is the lack of a clear and consistent policy from Trump. He pointed out that the president’s economic policies seem to change frequently, and that unpredictability is not conducive to long-term planning. When businesses are uncertain about what to expect, they delay decisions, which slows down economic activity.
Even though Trump is no longer in office, his influence on the political and financial conversation remains strong. His public statements still carry weight and are closely watched by both supporters and critics. That’s why his comments about Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve are causing so much noise in the financial world.
Many experts agree that while criticism of the Fed is not new, Trump’s aggressive tone and personal attacks on Powell are unusual. The Federal Reserve is supposed to operate independently of political influence, and such statements risk eroding public confidence in the system.
Overall, Hume’s message was clear: the markets are in trouble, and Trump’s actions—whether it’s the trade war or the pressure on the Fed—are playing a big role in that. He believes that unless there is greater clarity and less drama, it will be difficult for investors to regain confidence.
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Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
