Markets.com Logo
euEnglish
LoginSign Up

Trump, Powell, and Epstein: A Media Manipulation Play?

Jul 17, 2025
4 min read
Table of Contents
  • 1. Trump's Media Savvy: Is the Powell Saga a Diversion from Epstein?
  • 2. The Epstein Case: A Thorn in Trump's Side

Trump's Media Savvy: Is the Powell Saga a Diversion from Epstein?

MarketWatch columnist Brett Arends suggests that U.S. President Donald Trump is a masterful 'media player.' Just as he appeared to be losing control of the Jeffrey Epstein narrative, rumors surfaced from the White House about his intention to dismiss Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

The predictable followed: news headlines, frantic speculation, and jitters on Wall Street. The Epstein story faded into the background. In the age of the internet, public memory is short and attention spans are even shorter. A shiny 'new toy' easily eclipses the 'old toy'.

News management has become remarkably simple. Traditional media outlets no longer act as 'gatekeepers,' allowing someone like Trump, renowned for his PR genius, to manipulate public opinion with relative ease.

Arends likens Trump to the internet age equivalent of Franklin Roosevelt to the radio age, and Ronald Reagan to the television age – he innately understands the medium.

The Epstein Case: A Thorn in Trump's Side

The Epstein case presents an increasingly thorny problem for Trump. He has previously embraced Epstein-related conspiracy theories – that powerful individuals are implicated in the pedophile's sex scandal, and that Epstein may have been murdered in prison to cover up the scandal. Last year, Trump seemingly promised to release all 'Epstein files' if elected, but now he and his administration say 'no such files exist'.

This has led to friction with some of his most vocal supporters (and former supporters), including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and podcast host Joe Rogan.

Some, including former government official Elon Musk, even suggest that Trump is suppressing the Epstein files because he himself is implicated.

For the sake of discussion, let's assume Trump is not implicated in the 'Epstein files.' However, he can't prove it. Trump has admitted knowing Epstein, commenting in a 2002 interview with Landon Thomas of New York Magazine: 'I've known Jeff for fifteen years. He's a terrific guy. It's even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt, Jeffrey is enjoying his social life.'

In 2017, his first cabinet included the man who, as a federal prosecutor in Florida a decade earlier, let Epstein escape federal charges. Therefore, Arends points out that Trump has ample reason to do something to quell the Epstein narrative.

Three Key Indicators of Potential Manipulation

Of course, there's no hard evidence that the renewed rumors of 'firing Powell' are for this specific purpose. But Trump has been stoking the fires of 'firing Powell' for months. Arends says that each time the related rumors appear, there are three key points worth noting, which may prove that Trump is not serious.

  1. Repetitive 'Powell Ploy' for Public Opinion Management: Trump has used the Powell news to distract before. When Trump's clumsy tariff statements seemed likely to trigger a recession, he publicly attacked Powell. Now, under fire for the Epstein case, he starts attacking Powell again. Isn't this a pattern?
  2. Trump Can't Fire Powell, At Least Not Easily: Powell has stated he won't resign, and other Fed governors are likely to support him. For Trump to get the narrowly divided Congress to support him would be extremely risky. To get the courts to support it would be even riskier. Either way, the result would be a mess and cause political damage.
  3. Firing Powell Would Backfire: Predicting market reactions is always risky, but most believe that firing Powell would cause interest rates to rise, not fall. Even if Trump doesn't understand this, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and economic advisor Kevin Hassett certainly do.

If the Fed is no longer independent of direct political control, the risk of U.S. Treasury bonds will inevitably increase. This is so obvious it's almost a truism. Countries establish central banks independent of politics to reduce the risk of government debt, thereby borrowing at a lower cost.

Therefore, if Trump fires Powell, prices of medium- and long-term U.S. Treasury bonds will fall (interest rates move inversely with prices), and interest rates will rise. Firing Powell won't lower interest rates (perhaps except for the short-term federal funds rate), but instead will push them higher. The result: mortgage rates rise, business borrowing costs increase, economic slowdown or even worse.

Therefore, Arends concludes that, while it can't be 100% certain that Trump's 'talk of firing Powell' is merely a new media stunt to divert attention from the Epstein case, it's the most likely answer. This is not investment advice, but an analysis of the current situation.


Risk Warning: this article represents only the author’s views and is for reference only. It does not constitute investment advice or financial guidance, nor does it represent the stance of the Markets.com platform.When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange) and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss.Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice. Trading cryptocurrency CFDs and spread bets is restricted for all UK retail clients. 

Written by
SHARE

Markets

  • Palladium - Cash

    chartpng

    --

    0.28%
  • EUR/USD

    chartpng

    --

    -0.07%
  • Cotton

    chartpng

    --

    0.00%
  • AUD/USD

    chartpng

    --

    0.05%
  • Santander

    chartpng

    --

    1.14%
  • Apple.svg

    Apple

    chartpng

    --

    1.67%
  • easyJet

    chartpng

    --

    -0.32%
  • VIXX

    chartpng

    --

    0.00%
  • Silver

    chartpng

    --

    0.44%
Most Popular ArticlesView all
  • Feb 24, 2025

    Silver price prediction: What will silver be worth in 2025?

Table of Contents
  • 1. Trump's Media Savvy: Is the Powell Saga a Diversion from Epstein?
  • 2. The Epstein Case: A Thorn in Trump's Side

Related Articles

Market Euphoria Grips Investors Amid Rate Cut Hopes, Trade War Jitters Subside

Market sentiment is euphoric, driven by rate cut expectations and a seeming disregard for trade war risks, leading to record highs and reduced volatility.

Ava Grace|about 3 hours ago

Stifel Warns of Market Correction Amid Tariff Concerns and Economic Slowdown

Stifel analysts warn of a potential market correction fueled by tariff impacts and a slowing economy, which could lead to reduced consumer spending. They suggest considering defensive value stocks.

Sophia Claire|1 day ago

Inflation Risks Cloud Fed Rate Cut Bets

This article analyzes how upcoming inflation data could impact expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut, considering concerns about potential stagflation and the effect on the US dollar.

Ava Grace|1 day ago
Markets.com Logo
google playapp storeweb tradertradingView

Contact Us

support@markets.com+12845680155

Markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Commodities
  • Indices
  • Crypto
  • ETFs
  • Bonds

Trading

  • Trading Tools
  • Platform
  • Web Platform
  • App
  • TradingView
  • MT4
  • MT5
  • CFD Trading
  • CFD Asset List
  • Trading Info
  • Trading Conditions
  • Trading Hours
  • Trading Calculators
  • Economic Calendar

Learn

  • News
  • Trading Basics
  • Glossary
  • Webinars
  • Traders' Clinic
  • Education Centre

About

  • Why markets.com
  • Global Offering
  • Our Group
  • Careers
  • FAQs
  • Legal Pack
  • Safety Online
  • Complaints
  • Contact Support
  • Help Centre
  • Sitemap
  • Cookie Disclosure
  • Awards and Media

Promo

  • Gold Festival
  • Crypto Trading
  • marketsClub
  • Welcome Bonus
  • Loyal Bonus
  • Referral Bonus

Partnership

  • Affiliation
  • IB

Follow us on

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin
  • Threads
  • Tiktok

Listed on

  • 2023 Best Trading Platform Middle East - International Business Magazine
  • 2023 Best Trading Conditions Broker - Forexing.com
  • 2023 Most Trusted Forex Broker - Forexing.com
  • 2023 Most Transparent Broker - AllForexBonus.com
  • 2024 Best Broker for Beginners, United Kingdom - Global Brands Magazine
  • 2024 Best MT4 & MT5 Trading Platform Europe - Brands Review Magazine
  • 2024 Top Research and Education Resources Asia - Global Business and Finance Magazine
  • 2024 Leading CFD Broker Africa - Brands Review Magazine
  • 2024 Best Broker For Beginners LATAM - Global Business and Finance Magazine
  • 2024 Best Mobile Trading App MENA - Brands Review Magazine
  • 2024 Best Outstanding Value Brokerage MENA - Global Business and Finance Magazine
  • 2024 Best Broker for Customer Service MENA - Global Business and Finance Magazine
LegalLegal PackCookie DisclosureSafety Online

Payment
Methods

mastercardvisanetellerskrillwire transferzotapay
The www.markets.com/za/ site is operated by Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd which is a regulated by the FSCA under license no. 46860 and licensed to operate as an Over The Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) in terms of the Financial Markets Act no.19 of 2012. Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd is located at BOUNDARY PLACE 18 RIVONIA ROAD, ILLOVO SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, 2196, South Africa. 

High Risk Investment Warning: Trading Foreign Exchange (Forex) and Contracts For Difference (CFDs) is highly speculative, carries a high level of risk and is not appropriate for every investor. You may sustain a loss of some or all of your invested capital, therefore, you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with trading on margin. Please read the full  Risk Disclosure Statement which gives you a more detailed explanation of the risks involved.

For privacy and data protection related complaints please contact us at privacy@markets.com. Please read our PRIVACY POLICY STATEMENT for more information on handling of personal data.

Markets.com operates through the following subsidiaries:

Safecap Investments Limited, which is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (“CySEC”) under license no. 092/08. Safecap is incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus under company number ΗΕ186196.

Markets International Limited is registered  in the Saint Vincent and The Grenadines (“SVG”) under the revised Laws of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines 2009, with registration number  27030 BC 2023.

Close
Close

set cookie

set cookie

We use cookies to do things like offer live chat support and show you content we think you’ll be interested in. If you’re happy with the use of cookies by markets.com, click accept.