Since President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, America’s top billionaires have seen their fortunes take a massive hit. The stock market slump and new trade policies have wiped out billions from the wealthiest businessmen who backed Trump’s return to the White House. This financial shakeup shows the risks of relying too much on global markets and big tech companies.
Elon Musk got hit the hardest, losing $148 billion as Tesla sales crashed in Europe and China. Foreign customers turned against Tesla after Musk’s strong support for Trump’s America-first agenda. While some see this as a setback, others argue it exposes the dangers of companies depending on overseas markets instead of focusing on American workers.
Jeff Bezos lost $29 billion as Amazon stock dropped 14%. Critics point out that Amazon’s struggles highlight the need for Trump’s tough trade policies to protect U.S. businesses from unfair foreign competition. Bezos recently praised Trump’s commitment to free markets, showing that even liberal-leaning billionaires recognize the importance of economic patriotism.
Google’s Sergey Brin lost $22 billion after his company faced poor earnings and government lawsuits over antitrust issues. Conservatives argue this proves big tech has grown too powerful and needs stronger oversight to protect fair competition. Brin’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last December suggests even Silicon Valley elites know Washington must rein in their dominance.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta initially gained value but crashed soon after, costing him $5 billion. The brief rally shows investors still trust innovation, but the collapse reveals deeper concerns about overregulation under Trump’s policies. Some conservatives warn that crushing tech giants could hurt the economy, while others demand limits on their influence over public opinion.
French billionaire Bernard Arnault lost $5 billion as his luxury brand LVMH struggled with weak sales. Trump’s proposed tariffs on European goods aim to boost U.S. manufacturing, even if it hurts foreign companies. Arnault’s friendship with Trump shows global leaders respect his bold moves to put American jobs first, despite short-term pain.
The stock market meltdown erased $1.39 trillion from companies tied to these billionaires. Trump’s tariffs and federal layoffs caused panic on Wall Street, but his supporters argue these steps are needed to fix decades of bad trade deals and government bloat. True leadership means making tough choices, not chasing temporary stock gains.
While critics blame Trump for the “Trumpcession,” his allies say resetting the economy will take time. The billionaires’ losses prove that putting America first isn’t about protecting the rich—it’s about rebuilding a system that works for everyday workers. Market swings come and go, but restoring American strength is worth the fight.
