Trump Slams Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Hints at Possible Dismissal

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, criticizing his leadership as slow and error-prone. Trump even went as far as signaling that Powell could soon be removed from his position.

As reported by CNN, the criticism came just a day after Powell issued remarks concerning the economic impact of the current U.S. tariff policy under Trump's administration.

Taking to his platform, Truth Social, Trump accused Powell of falling behind other central banks, particularly the European Central Bank. “Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always LATE AND WRONG, delivered another 'mess' of a report yesterday, as usual,” Trump wrote.

Speaking further during a press briefing in the Oval Office on Thursday (April 17), Trump reiterated his frustration: “I don’t think he’s doing a good job. He’s late. Always late. I’m not happy with him.”

He then added pointedly, “And if I want him out, he’ll be out quickly, believe me.”

Previously, Powell had commented that the Trump administration's tariffs marked a fundamental shift in U.S. policy, with the latest round of duties being significantly larger than what the Fed had previously anticipated.

He noted that the scale and speed of these changes have placed the central bank in uncharted territory, confronting challenges such as stagflation—a rare economic condition involving both inflation and stagnant growth.

Powell’s statements echoed those of other Federal Reserve officials in recent weeks, many of whom warned that the tariffs could fuel inflation and trigger a rise in unemployment.

Additionally, criticism has surfaced from the business elite. Billionaire investor Ray Dalio warned that due to Trump’s tariff policies, the U.S. economy might already be in, or dangerously close to, a recession.