President Donald Trump’s latest tariff wave has sent shockwaves through global markets. But while economists crunch numbers and world leaders craft countermeasures, the internet is lighting up with a very different question: Is Trump actually playing a strategic ‘chess’ game—and are we all just pawns?
On April 2, Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on foreign imports, calling the day “Liberation Day” for American industry. The move includes a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars and a baseline 10% tariff on imports from every country not part of the USMCA trade deal—leaving the EU, UK, and others scrambling to respond. China, of course, fired back with a 34% tariff on U.S. goods.
But as the political fallout begins to swirl, a viral social media theory is giving the chaos a dramatic twist.
Economic Conspiracy Theory: “He’s Crashing the Market On Purpose”
A TikTok video that’s now doing the rounds on X (formerly Twitter) has users buzzing with speculation. Its bold claim? Trump is deliberately crashing the stock market. Why? To force cash into U.S. treasuries, create downward pressure on interest rates, and allow the Fed to refinance America’s mountainous debt more cheaply.
In short, it's not a blunder—it's a maneuver.
“He’s forcing companies to manufacture in America to avoid tariffs,” the video claims. “He’s redirecting farmers to sell locally to bring grocery prices down. And he’s nudging the Fed into slashing rates.” The narrator even calls it “a wild but working chess move.”
Some of the video’s claims are exaggerated or flat-out wrong—like a quote falsely attributed to Warren Buffett praising Trump’s economics. (Buffett has publicly denied supporting Trump’s policies.) But parts of it are eerily in line with Trump’s recent Truth Social rants aimed directly at Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Trump’s Message
In his typical all-caps style, Trump took to Truth Social to send a blunt message: “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”
He listed falling inflation, dropping energy prices, and job growth as signs it’s time for the Federal Reserve to act. “This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates,” he posted. “He is always 'late,' but he could now change his image, and quickly.”
This is exactly what the viral theory claims—Trump is pressuring the Fed to slash rates before the 2024 election cycle kicks into full gear. The question now is whether Powell will take the bait.
But the Fed Isn’t Convinced
Speaking at an event in Virginia on April 4, Powell didn’t echo Trump’s optimism. Far from it.
“We face a highly uncertain outlook with elevated risks of both higher unemployment and higher inflation,” Powell warned. “It is now becoming clear that the tariff increases will be significantly larger than expected. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth.”
Translation? The Fed isn’t sold on the so-called master plan—and fears America could be trading short-term political wins for long-term economic pain.
Strategy or Spin?
So, is Trump’s tariff blitz part of a long-game economic strategy—or just the latest chapter in his shoot-from-the-hip playbook?
It’s hard to say. What’s clear is that Trump is leaning into the chaos. He’s pushing buttons, crashing narratives, and once again positioning himself as the ultimate disrupter—this time on a global economic chessboard.
Whether it’s a strategic checkmate or a risky misstep, Trump has everyone guessing. And in true Trump fashion, that may be the real strategy after all.
On April 2, Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on foreign imports, calling the day “Liberation Day” for American industry. The move includes a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars and a baseline 10% tariff on imports from every country not part of the USMCA trade deal—leaving the EU, UK, and others scrambling to respond. China, of course, fired back with a 34% tariff on U.S. goods.
But as the political fallout begins to swirl, a viral social media theory is giving the chaos a dramatic twist.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2025
Economic Conspiracy Theory: “He’s Crashing the Market On Purpose”
A TikTok video that’s now doing the rounds on X (formerly Twitter) has users buzzing with speculation. Its bold claim? Trump is deliberately crashing the stock market. Why? To force cash into U.S. treasuries, create downward pressure on interest rates, and allow the Fed to refinance America’s mountainous debt more cheaply.
In short, it's not a blunder—it's a maneuver.
“He’s forcing companies to manufacture in America to avoid tariffs,” the video claims. “He’s redirecting farmers to sell locally to bring grocery prices down. And he’s nudging the Fed into slashing rates.” The narrator even calls it “a wild but working chess move.”
Some of the video’s claims are exaggerated or flat-out wrong—like a quote falsely attributed to Warren Buffett praising Trump’s economics. (Buffett has publicly denied supporting Trump’s policies.) But parts of it are eerily in line with Trump’s recent Truth Social rants aimed directly at Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Trump is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. pic.twitter.com/fvThLx82Ev
— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) April 4, 2025
Trump’s Message
In his typical all-caps style, Trump took to Truth Social to send a blunt message: “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”
He listed falling inflation, dropping energy prices, and job growth as signs it’s time for the Federal Reserve to act. “This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates,” he posted. “He is always 'late,' but he could now change his image, and quickly.”
This is exactly what the viral theory claims—Trump is pressuring the Fed to slash rates before the 2024 election cycle kicks into full gear. The question now is whether Powell will take the bait.
"CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME" https://t.co/ALZfH33bcj pic.twitter.com/ndkHncc4Ng
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) April 4, 2025
But the Fed Isn’t Convinced
Speaking at an event in Virginia on April 4, Powell didn’t echo Trump’s optimism. Far from it.
“We face a highly uncertain outlook with elevated risks of both higher unemployment and higher inflation,” Powell warned. “It is now becoming clear that the tariff increases will be significantly larger than expected. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth.”
Translation? The Fed isn’t sold on the so-called master plan—and fears America could be trading short-term political wins for long-term economic pain.
Strategy or Spin?
So, is Trump’s tariff blitz part of a long-game economic strategy—or just the latest chapter in his shoot-from-the-hip playbook?
It’s hard to say. What’s clear is that Trump is leaning into the chaos. He’s pushing buttons, crashing narratives, and once again positioning himself as the ultimate disrupter—this time on a global economic chessboard.
Whether it’s a strategic checkmate or a risky misstep, Trump has everyone guessing. And in true Trump fashion, that may be the real strategy after all.
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