#TrumpVsPowell TrumpVsPowell: Clash of Egos, Policy, and Central Bank Independence

The public feud between **Donald Trump** and **Jerome Powell**, Chair of the Federal Reserve, became a defining narrative of U.S. economic policy during Trump’s presidency (2017–2021). Their rivalry—fueled by tweets, policy disagreements, and clashing ideologies—highlighted the tension between political pressure and central bank independence.

*Background: Why Trump Targeted Powell**

- **Appointment Irony**: Trump nominated Powell as Fed Chair in 2017, praising his “strong, smart, and committed” leadership. By 2018, Trump reversed course, calling Powell an “enemy” and blaming rate hikes for slowing economic growth.

- **Political Economy**: Trump prioritized stock market gains and pre-election stimulus, clashing with the Fed’s mandate to balance inflation and employment over the long term.