Trump posts meme of Powell falling into dumpster ahead of FOMC

President Donald Trump posted a meme on Truth Social showing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell mid-fall into an open dumpster. The post appeared days before Powell’s expected final Federal Open Market Committee meeting as chair. The caption read: “Too Late is a DISASTER for America. Interest Rates too high!”

The image adds visual mockery to a recurring White House critique that the Fed kept rates too high and moved too slowly to lower them. Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to cut borrowing costs, arguing lower rates would ease pressure on consumers and boost growth.

Fed officials have kept the policy rate elevated to bring inflation down, and Powell’s term as chair is ending. The coming FOMC meeting is expected to be his last at the helm unless he is reappointed.

The administration has threatened removal of Powell in the past; legal advisers have cautioned such an action would likely face court challenges. The White House has also nominated candidates for vacant Fed governor seats who are seen as more aligned with faster rate cuts if confirmed.

Financial markets have reacted to the dispute over monetary policy. Crypto traders have reduced leverage, trimmed exposure to high-beta tokens, and registered declines in open interest ahead of the FOMC meeting. Broader risk markets have shown elevated volatility as investors assess possible changes in U.S. monetary policy.

Recent White House policy measures have added to market focus on Washington. New tariffs on European-built vehicles, additional measures targeting Iran, and a requirement for federal review of certain new artificial intelligence models before public release have drawn attention from traders and investors monitoring policy signals from both Pennsylvania Avenue and the Federal Reserve.