Trump Faces Market Manipulation Claims After Timed Tariff Pause Announcement
On Wednesday morning, shortly after US markets opened, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social: “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT"
Donald Trump is under scrutiny for potential market manipulation after urging investors to buy stocks just hours before a surprise policy shift that triggered a global market rally. On Wednesday morning, shortly after US markets opened, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social: “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.”
Less than four hours later, he announced a 90-day suspension of additional trade tariffs on most countries, excluding China, sending stock indices sharply higher worldwide and raising questions about the timing of his post.
Global Stocks Surge Following US Market Rally
US markets led a global stock surge on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 jumping more than 9 per cent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq soaring over 12 per cent. The rally spilled into Asian and European markets on Thursday, as Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 9 per cent and London’s FTSE 100 rose as much as 4 per cent in early trade.
Insider Trading Accusations
Donald Trump is facing mounting accusations of market manipulation after a social media post preceded a sharp global market rally and a surprise trade policy reversal. In a rare move, Trump signed off his Truth Social post Wednesday morning with his initials—“DJT”—which also match the stock ticker for Trump Media & Technology Group, the company behind the platform. Shares of the firm surged 22 per cent that day.
The timing of the post, followed just hours later by Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on additional tariffs for most countries, has sparked calls for an investigation. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff demanded answers, writing, “These constant gyrations in policy provide dangerous opportunities for insider trading. Who in the administration knew about Trump’s latest tariff flip-flop ahead of time? Did anyone buy or sell stocks, and profit at the public’s expense? I’m writing to the White House – the public has a right to know.”
When questioned by reporters Wednesday evening, Trump claimed he made the tariff decision that morning, after thinking about it over the last few days. However, the White House maintained the move was part of a broader negotiating strategy, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt describing it as Trump’s “art of the deal” in action.
Market Volatility
Market volatility in recent weeks has provided opportunities for savvy investors. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene disclosed purchases of Amazon and Apple stock on April 3 and 4—immediately following Trump’s “liberation day” tariff threats on April 2. Both stocks saw double-digit gains on Wednesday, rising 12 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
Despite easing tariff pressures on most countries, Trump has intensified measures against China, raising import duties to 125 per cent, up from 104 per cent on Wednesday. In response, Beijing rolled out its own tariff hike to 84 per cent on US imports starting Thursday, setting the stage for renewed trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
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