Trump Administration Live Updates: Bessent Faces Reporters in White House Press Briefing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed reporters at the White House press briefing, emphasizing his confidence in the administration’s economic strategy amid rising inflation and geopolitical tensions. Bessent, who recently met with Kevin Warsh, the newly appointed chair of the Federal Reserve, stated that inflation would decline once the Iran conflict concludes. He also hinted at the Treasury’s preparation of a mockup for a $250 bill featuring President Trump’s portrait, though he stressed that such a move would require congressional approval. Bessent deferred questions about a proposed “anti-weaponization fund” to the Department of Justice, citing ongoing legal reviews. The briefing coincided with alarming inflation data, as a key measure of inflation accelerated to a three-year high, intensifying pressure on the Federal Reserve to address persistent price pressures. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index rose 3.8% annually in April, the fastest pace since May 2023, while core inflation—excluding volatile food and energy prices—increased by 3.3%, the highest level since November 2023. Monthly inflation data showed a slight slowdown, with overall prices rising 0.4% and core prices up 0.2%, but these figures underscored the broader challenge of stabilizing the economy amid the Iran conflict’s impact on global energy markets. The war, which began in late February, has severely disrupted energy supplies, driving up prices and complicating the Fed’s approach to inflation. While the central bank has historically “looked through” supply shocks, recent tensions have raised questions about the viability of this strategy. Federal Reserve officials, including New York Fed President John C.#scott_bessent #federal_reserve #trump_administration #iran_conflict #kevin_warsh
Stocks Surge on Nvidia Earnings and Oil Price Drop as Fed Faces Inflation Pressure Major U.S. stock indexes closed sharply higher on Wednesday, driven by optimism ahead of Nvidia’s quarterly results and a sharp decline in oil prices. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average, and S&P 500 all posted gains of 1.6%, 1.3%, and 1.1%, respectively. The Dow added nearly 650 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebounded from three-day declines. Investors focused on Nvidia’s earnings, which exceeded expectations, and a drop in oil prices following geopolitical developments. Nvidia, the world’s most valuable public company, reported adjusted earnings of $1.87 per share for the first quarter, surpassing analyst forecasts of $1.76. Revenue surged 85% year-over-year to a record $81.6 billion, well above the $78.8 billion expected by Wall Street. The company also raised its revenue growth outlook for the current quarter, signaling continued strong demand for its AI hardware. Nvidia’s data center sales nearly doubled to $75.2 billion, reflecting robust spending by major tech clients. Shares of the company rose 1.3% in regular trading, while its peers like Microsoft and Alphabet saw gains, though Apple closed lower. The surge in tech stocks was accompanied by a sharp drop in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 5.6% to $98.35 a barrel, while Brent crude dropped 5.6% to $105.02. The decline followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the country was in “final stages” of negotiations with Iran to end the war, as well as news that three oil tankers had safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts attributed the drop to reduced concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, bond yields retreated as the 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.57%, down from a peak of 4.#iran #donald_trump #nvidia #kevin_warsh #fed
Senate Confirms Trump Nominee Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chairman The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, in a 54-45 party-line vote on Wednesday. Warsh, a former Federal Reserve official, will replace Jerome Powell as chair of the central bank amid a period of heightened economic uncertainty. The confirmation comes as the Fed faces mounting pressure to address persistent inflation, a divided policymaking committee, and ongoing political scrutiny. Warsh, 56, will assume the role at a critical juncture for the Fed, which has struggled to balance its dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Inflation, which has exceeded the Fed’s 2% target for five years, has recently accelerated due to surging gas prices linked to the war in Iran. The Fed’s interest rate-setting committee, known as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), has been deeply divided, with the most dissenting votes in over three decades recorded at its last meeting. Powell, who has faced years of personal attacks from Trump and an unprecedented Justice Department investigation, plans to remain on the Fed’s board even after his term as chair ends, potentially creating a competing power center within the agency. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, emphasized the importance of a Fed chair who understands both macroeconomic trends and the impact on everyday Americans. “Kevin Warsh is just such a person,” Thune stated during a floor speech, highlighting his commitment to addressing the challenges facing working families. Trump’s demands for change at the Fed have been a central theme of his administration.#trump #federal_reserve #john_thune #kevin_warsh #us_senate
Fed Governor Miran Resigns, Backs Warsh as New Chair Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran has formally resigned from his position, effective when or shortly before new Chair Kevin Warsh assumes leadership. The announcement came on Thursday, with Miran stating he will step down from the central bank’s board as Warsh prepares to take the helm. Miran’s resignation marks the end of his brief tenure on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), where he served as a contrarian voice during his time on the rate-setting body. Miran’s term began in September 2025, following the abrupt resignation of Adriana Kugler, who had led the FOMC until August of that year. During his time on the committee, Miran consistently voted against the aggressive rate-cutting measures adopted by the FOMC. Specifically, he opposed the three quarter-percentage-point reductions approved in 2025 and later cast votes against three decisions to maintain steady rates, favoring instead smaller cuts. His dissenting stance positioned him as a key figure in the Fed’s evolving policy debates. In his resignation letter, Miran described his time at the Fed as “the highest honor of my life,” expressing confidence in Warsh’s leadership. The new chair, who received Senate confirmation earlier this week, is set to take over as the Fed navigates complex economic challenges. Miran highlighted his anticipation for the changes Warsh and the Federal Reserve might implement, particularly in areas such as communications policy, balance sheet management, and adherence to the central bank’s narrow mandate. He emphasized the need for the Fed to avoid entanglement in politically sensitive issues. Miran’s tenure was marked by his advocacy for a more forward-looking approach to monetary policy.#kevin_warsh #fed #fomc #stephen_miran #adriana_kugler
Kevin Warsh's Proposed Inflation Measure Faces Criticism Over Potential Policy Implications Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair, has proposed a shift in how the central bank measures inflation, favoring a trimmed average gauge over the traditional core price index for personal consumption expenditures (core PCE). Warsh argued that this approach would better capture the underlying inflation rate by excluding extreme price shocks, such as those caused by geopolitical events or supply-driven spikes in commodities like beef. During his Senate confirmation hearing, he emphasized the need to focus on generalized price changes rather than one-off fluctuations. However, Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave warned that Warsh’s preferred method could lead to unintended consequences. Bhave’s analysis suggested that while the trimmed average gauge might currently show softer inflation—projecting a 12-month mean of 2.3% and median of 2.8% for February—this approach could inadvertently incorporate minor price spikes from energy and food sectors. These sectors are typically excluded from the core PCE, which has historically been the Fed’s preferred metric. Bhave noted that even if extreme outliers are trimmed, smaller shocks could still influence the inflation reading, potentially leading to a higher inflation rate than the core PCE suggests. The potential impact of this shift is highlighted by historical data. Bank of America’s trimmed-median inflation gauge, which excludes volatile items, was higher than the core PCE in 2019 and 2020. During those periods, a trimmed basket would have encouraged a more hawkish Fed stance, which could have led to tighter monetary policy.#federal_reserve #bank_of_america #kevin_warsh #aditya_bhave #core_pce
Fed Nominee Kevin Warsh's Financial Disclosures Reveal Substantial Wealth and Potential Conflicts of Interest Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh has disclosed financial holdings totaling at least $135 million in his name, with his wife Jane Lauder’s assets adding another $192 million to $226 million, according to newly released financial disclosure forms. The filings, which are part of the Senate’s confirmation process, highlight the nominee’s significant wealth, surpassing that of all previous Federal Reserve chairs. Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Jerome Powell, has pledged to divest some of his assets if confirmed by the Senate. Warsh’s financial disclosures reveal holdings in two funds valued at over $50 million, with no specified upper limit. His wife, Jane Lauder, an heir to the Estee Lauder fortune, holds several funds valued at more than $1 million, also without a stated cap. Lauder, who sits on the board of Estee Lauder, is estimated to have a net worth of $1.9 billion by Forbes. The couple married in 2002, and Lauder’s inheritance from her grandmother’s cosmetics empire has significantly contributed to their combined wealth. Warsh’s financial profile far exceeds that of his predecessor, Jerome Powell. At the time of Powell’s 2018 confirmation, he was considered the wealthiest Fed chair in history, with assets ranging between $19 million and $75 million. Powell’s most recent filing for 2025 shows a similar range, while Warsh’s disclosures indicate his holdings could be substantially higher. The nominee also disclosed $10 million in income from his role as an advisor to investor Stanley Druckenmiller, which he humorously refers to as his “day job.#kevin_warsh #senate_banking_committee #estee_lauder #jane_lauder #stanley_druckenmiller
Trump Threatens to Fire Powell If Fed Chair Doesn't Leave Office on His Own President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from office if the central bank chair does not resign before his term ends, escalating tensions over Powell’s continued role as a Fed governor. During an interview on Fox Business, Trump stated that he would have Powell fired if the chair remained in his position after his successor, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, is confirmed. The president emphasized that he had delayed the action to avoid controversy but warned that Powell’s tenure would end if he did not step down voluntarily. Powell’s term as chair expires on May 15, 2026, but he holds a dual role as a Fed governor, which allows him to stay in the position for an additional two years. While most past Fed chairs have resigned after being replaced, Powell has remained in his role as chair despite repeated questions about his plans post-confirmation. His continued presence has been complicated by an ongoing investigation into the renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who led the probe, attempted to issue a subpoena to Powell for information but faced a judicial rejection. Pirro has vowed to appeal the decision, signaling the probe’s persistence. Trump has also demanded that the investigation into the renovation project continue, accusing the Fed of both corruption and incompetence. “What they’ve done to that so it is probably corrupt, but what it really is is incompetent, and we have to show the incompetence of that,” Trump said during the interview. The renovation project has drawn scrutiny for its cost overruns and delays, with critics arguing it reflects mismanagement within the central bank.#trump #jeanine_pirro #jerome_powell #kevin_warsh #fed
Federal Judge Dismisses Subpoenas Targeting Fed Chair Jerome Powell A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Justice’s subpoenas directed at Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should be dismissed, according to a court filing unsealed on Friday. The decision, issued by Judge James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., criticized the Trump administration for using the criminal investigation as a tool to pressure Powell into altering monetary policy. The judge’s opinion described the subpoenas as an attempt to coerce Powell, the head of the world’s most influential central bank, into lowering interest rates to align with the administration’s economic agenda. Boasberg accused the government of failing to present any evidence that Powell had committed a crime, stating that the sole purpose of the subpoenas was to “harass and pressure” Powell to either comply with the president’s demands or resign to make way for a more favorable Fed chair. In his ruling, Boasberg emphasized that the DOJ had provided “no evidence whatsoever” that Powell had engaged in any illegal activity beyond “displeasing the President.” The judge’s scathing language underscored his view that the investigation was politically motivated rather than grounded in legal merit. The Department of Justice has announced plans to appeal the decision, which could prolong the legal battle between the government and the Federal Reserve. This development also risks delaying the confirmation of Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to lead the Fed, as the ongoing dispute casts uncertainty over the confirmation process. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who represents the District of Columbia, condemned the ruling as “outrageous” and vowed to pursue an appeal.#department_of_justice #federal_reserve #jerome_powell #judge_james_boasberg #kevin_warsh
Will the Trump Fed Nominee Kevin Warsh Push Bitcoin Toward $80,000? On March 4, U.S. President Donald Trump formally nominated Kevin Warsh as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve. Once confirmed by the Senate, Warsh will replace Jerome Powell, whose current term ends on May 15, 2026. The announcement has triggered renewed speculation about the potential impact of Warsh’s policies on financial markets, particularly cryptocurrency. Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor and longtime advocate for Bitcoin, has frequently likened the digital asset to gold. In recent years, he has described Bitcoin as a “sustainable store of value, like gold” and remarked that it serves as a “good policeman” for federal policy. His past statements have positioned him as a proponent of cryptocurrencies, which has fueled optimism among investors. The market reaction to Warsh’s nomination has been mixed. Bitcoin’s price surged to $73,599 as of the latest data, marking a 7.54% increase over the previous 24 hours. This rise has coincided with a significant inflow into crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which saw $1 billion in net inflows over the past week. This contrasts with a five-week streak of outflows totaling $4 billion. Meanwhile, traditional equity markets also showed strength, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 rising 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Warsh’s nomination has also reignited discussions about his potential influence on monetary policy. In January, his earlier remarks about tightening monetary policies had caused a market downturn, often referred to as the “Warsh Shock.” However, recent market trends suggest a recovery, as his advocacy for interest rate cuts has eased investor concerns. Critics, however, have raised questions about Warsh’s qualifications and political ties.#bitcoin #donald_trump #federal_reserve #nasdaq_composite #kevin_warsh
Schroders Investment: Expectations for Further Interest Rate Cuts and Bond Market Outlook Schroders Investment has expressed its belief that Kevin Warsh, the newly nominated Federal Reserve Chairman, is both willing and capable of pushing for additional interest rate cuts. The firm suggests that any sell-off in bonds is likely to remain limited, given the anticipated direction of monetary policy. However, the bank notes that its current stance on U.S. duration remains cautious, as market expectations for rate cuts in the remainder of 2026 have not yet reached the threshold that would warrant a more positive outlook. James Bilson, Fixed Income Strategist at Schroders Investment, highlighted the significance of Warsh’s nomination in a recent commentary. The Trump administration’s announcement of Warsh’s potential appointment as Fed Chairman has sparked discussions about the future trajectory of U.S. monetary policy. Schroders emphasizes that Warsh’s background as someone familiar with the Fed’s internal operations and his political acumen position him as a candidate who could achieve a moderate easing of monetary policy, rather than advocating for aggressive rate cuts beyond what is necessary. The firm’s analysis underscores the gap between what the U.S. economy may require and what policymakers are likely to deliver. While Warsh has appeared as an independent thinker, his chances of securing confirmation depend on his ability to articulate a clear rationale for further rate cuts during his Federal Reserve Chair interview. Schroders estimates that U.S. authorities prefer to steer interest rates toward approximately 3%, suggesting that Warsh’s approach may align more closely with this target than with the more aggressive cuts some candidates might advocate.#kevin_warsh #schroders_investment #federal_reserve_chairman #james_bilson #fixed_income_strategist
XRP Faces Valuation Pressures Amid Market Shifts XRP has experienced a significant decline in value, with its price dropping 26% year to date as of early 2026. Over the past 12 months, the token has lost roughly 41% of its value. Despite broader trends of inflation moderation and increased adoption of cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), XRP and other major tokens have faced sharp valuation pullbacks in the latter half of 2025. This article explores three key factors contributing to these declines. The resurgence of precious metals has created a stark contrast in market performance. Gold and silver have seen strong bullish momentum, while XRP, Bitcoin, and Ethereum have all faced substantial valuation declines. This divergence has challenged traditional narratives that positioned cryptocurrencies as effective hedges against inflation. The shift in investor sentiment has raised questions about the long-term viability of crypto as a store of value. Even with a more favorable regulatory environment under President Trump’s second term, XRP and other top tokens have struggled to maintain their value. Investors are increasingly favoring precious metals, which are perceived as safer assets, thereby intensifying bearish trends in the crypto market. The growing popularity of stablecoins has also impacted demand for volatile cryptocurrencies like XRP. Stablecoins, which are designed to maintain a price close to $1, have gained traction as a medium of exchange. Their adoption has shifted perceptions of cryptocurrencies from speculative assets to practical tools for transactions. As more users opt for stablecoins due to their reliability and consistency, the demand for volatile tokens like XRP has decreased.#silver #gold #federal_reserve #kevin_warsh #xrp
