- Trump said his recent meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave him confidence that interest rate cuts are coming.
- White House officials, including budget director Russell Vought, continue to push for easing monetary policy and reviewing the Fed’s renovation and operations.
- Futures markets currently see no immediate rate cut, with the next possible adjustment expected later in 2025.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Friday that the Federal Reserve will begin lowering interest rates soon, following what he described as a positive meeting with Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Trump indicated that Powell’s comments suggested the central bank may recommend easing monetary policy, which the president has been pushing for over several months.
White House Pressure on the Fed
Powell and other Fed officials have been cautious about cutting rates due to ongoing concerns over inflation, particularly as they monitor the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs. Despite this, White House budget director Russell Vought reinforced the administration’s push for rate cuts, citing the need to support the broader economy and housing market. He also continued to press for a review of the Fed’s building renovation project and its operational practices.
Easing Tensions Between Trump and Powell
The tone between the White House and the Federal Reserve appears to have softened after years of sharp criticism from Trump toward Powell.
However, Vought confirmed the administration will continue to push for policy changes and a closer examination of the Fed’s management, particularly in light of its operational deficit of nearly $80 billion in 2024. Market analysts currently see little chance of a rate cut at the Fed’s upcoming meeting, with the earliest possible adjustment likely by September.
