The look on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s face said it all.
The typically stoic Powell looked at Trump and began shaking his head.
Trump said there was “no tension” between him and Powell on the tour, despite their obvious and awkward public feuding minutes earlier.
“I feel good about it,” Trump said of the tour and his relationship with Powell.
“I mean, look I have one dispute,” Trump added, urging Powell to lower interest rates.
During Trump’s tenure, the Fed has maintained stable interest rates after having reduced rates twice near the conclusion of former President Joe Biden’s term when inflation decreased.
But Powell has said that inflation may creep higher because of Trump’s trade policy, and the Fed believes it is prudent to keep rates steady.
Central bank officials meet next week to discuss their next policy move.
Trump has accused Powell of playing politics, an accusation that the Fed chair has routinely denied.
But Trump, in an possible show of support for Powell, said he had confidence in him.
“I believe that the chairman is going to do the right thing,” Trump said.
Nevertheless, Trump maintained that he has plans to replace Powell when his term expires in May 2026.
Trump said he has “two people, maybe three” in the running.
