Democratic senators are demanding an investigation into potential insider trading tied to President Trump’s sudden tariff reversal, a move Republicans dismiss as political theater. On April 9, Trump announced a 90-day pause on tailored tariffs for 75 countries—excluding China—while slapping Beijing with a 125% tariff. The stock market surged immediately after his posts on Truth Social urging followers to “BUY” and calling it a “GREAT TIME” to invest, with the Nasdaq jumping 12.1% and Tesla stock spiking 18%.
The White House blasted Democrats for “partisan games,” arguing Trump’s actions were strategic moves to counter China and stabilize markets. Spokesperson Kush Desai emphasized Trump’s focus on challenging Beijing’s “dishonest practices” while accusing Democrats of ignoring policy substance to chase conspiracy theories. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified the tariff pause aimed to buy time for customized trade negotiations, with over 75 countries already seeking deals.
Democrats like Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego demanded probes into whether Trump allies profited from early knowledge of the tariff shift. Lawmakers highlighted Trump’s social media posts and reports of Oval Office bragging about wealthy associates making billions from the policy change. House Republicans countered that Trump’s posts were meant to calm markets amid media-driven panic, not manipulate them. They noted the President’s stake in Trump Media (trading under “DJT”) rose 21% post-announcement but dismissed claims of impropriety.
– : Trump’s tariff pause reflects bold leadership to reset unfair trade practices, with negotiations prioritized over punitive measures.
– : Schiff’s probe request is framed as a distraction from policy wins, with conservatives accusing Democrats of hypocrisy after years of criticizing China.
– : Conservative commentators argue legacy outlets amplify baseless claims to undermine Trump’s economic victories ahead of the 2024 election.
Critics on the right, including Fox News hosts, have mocked the allegations as a rehash of “Russiagate”-style tactics, arguing Democrats are scrambling to delegitimize Trump’s market-boosting policies. The White House maintains transparency, with Bessent stating, “Every solution will be custom-made—that’s why we need 90 days”.
