- Trump told investors on April 9 it was “a great time to buy” — the S&P 500 has rallied 14% since.
- He doubled down again on May 8 and reiterated today that the market “is going to go a lot higher.”
- A 90-day tariff reprieve and easing U.S.-China tensions fueled what analysts are calling the biggest Trump-era rally.
President Donald Trump is once again linking his instincts to market momentum — and this time, he might have nailed the bottom. After telling Americans it was “a great time to buy” on April 9, the S&P 500 has rallied 14% — its strongest 21-day gain across both of Trump’s terms, excluding pandemic-era rebounds.
Now, he’s doubling down. Speaking earlier today, Trump said,
“Rising market will do. Oh, it’s going to get a lot higher… I told people 5 weeks ago. It’s a great time to buy. I got criticized for that. Now they don’t criticize me anymore… It’s an explosion of investment and jobs and great companies are coming in. Never seen anything like it.”
Market Bottom Coincides with Tariff Reprieve
On April 8, the S&P 500 had just plunged 12% over fears of a global trade war after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement. The next day, Trump posted that it was a great time to buy — then paused the harshest trade levies with a 90-day reprieve.
Markets loved it. The S&P 500 jumped nearly 10% that day, its biggest single-day gain since 2008. Nasdaq futures followed with a 4.2% rally. Strategists have pointed out that this behavior, reminiscent of Trump’s first term, suggests a “Trump put” may be back in play — markets rising in anticipation of favorable White House pivots.
The Trump Effect: Tweets, Timing, and Trade
This isn’t the first time investors have seen Trump try to talk markets into confidence. During his first term, his tweets often signaled key moves: sanctions, tariff threats, or sudden detentes. But what’s unusual this cycle is the timing — his market calls are now landing just ahead of real policy changes.
On May 8, Trump again told reporters that “it’s time to buy” — days before a surprise U.S.-China announcement that both nations would slash tariffs for 90 days. The S&P and Nasdaq rallied hard again, reinforcing the sense that Trump’s comments are more than just noise.
Analysts Warn: Don’t Bet the Farm
While the rally has been explosive, some market watchers are cautious. “It’s clear the Trump put is back in play,” said Arun Sai of Pictet Asset Management. “But we wouldn’t read too much into it… it’s just the market pricing in a kind of backstop from the White House.”
Others point out that the 90-day tariff pauses are just that — temporary. The structural tensions between the U.S. and China haven’t gone away, and markets could reverse if talks break down or inflation reignites.
Conclusion
Whether by instinct or strategy, Trump’s timing has delivered one of the strongest market rebounds in years. His April and May calls to “buy stocks” — once mocked — now look prescient. And if today’s statement is to be believed, he’s not done yet. With tariffs paused, China tensions cooling, and investor confidence surging, the Trump rally may have room to run — but as always, the floor beneath it remains political.
