In a fiery August 5 interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Donald Trump came out swinging dropping bold claims, big promises, and a clear message:
He is back. And he is not holding back.
From tariffs and the Fed to Wall Street’s alleged bias, here’s what went down:
🧨 BLS Under Fire: “Fake Job Numbers?”
Trump accused the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of rigging job data before and after the 2024 elections calling it an effort to make Biden look good.
He fired Erika McEntarfer, former BLS chief, saying she was just another "Biden loyalist."
His goal? 🔧 “Clean up the system” even if it means shaking up entire agencies.
💊 Tariff Bombs Incoming: Pharma, Chips & India in the Hot Seat
Trump’s trade war 2.0 is heating up:
💊 250% tariffs on imported drugs to force U.S. production
💻 Tariff hikes on semiconductors
Tougher stance on Indian oil exports, claiming they profit off Russian oil
🇯🇵🇪🇺 EU & Japan? Possibly facing 35% retaliatory duties too
His message? “America First is coming back, bigger than ever.”
🏛️ Fed Facelift: Powell Out?
Trump says Jerome Powell is “too slow” on rate cuts.
His new shortlist includes:
📈 Kevin Hassett
📊 Kevin Warsh
He ruled out Scott Bessent, confirming that the Fed will look very different if Trump wins again.
🏦 Wall Street’s Political “Blacklist?”
Trump claimed JPMorgan and Bank of America pressured him to move “hundreds of millions” — accusing them of targeting him for political reasons.
It fits his larger message:
“They want to silence me. I’m not backing down.”
🏭 Chips, China & “Made in America”
Trump hyped TSMC’s Arizona investment, boosting the $165B number to $300B (bit of a stretch, but classic Trump style).
He hinted at a new China deal, possibly softening his tough guy image into a smart negotiator again. 🤝
🗳️ 2028 Run? “Maybe Not... But Maybe”
When asked about running again in 2028, Trump gave a cheeky “maybe not” then added “I hope to run,” leaving the door wide open for the future.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Vintage Trump, Repackaged for 2025
In just 40 minutes, Trump dropped:
🔥 Wild claims
⚖️ Bold policy promises
📢 Full-on campaign energy
He’s not just reacting to the headlines he is the headline.
Whether you agree with him or not, one thing’s clear: Trump’s playing to win. And he’s rewriting the rulebook as he goes