Trump's Cartoon Attack on Powell Goes Viral Amid Fed Tensions

On Saturday, President Donald Trump intensified his public dispute with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell by posting a widely circulated cartoon on his social media platform, Truth Social.The AI-generated image depicts Trump pointing directly at Powell and shouting, you're fired, while Powell stands holding a cardboard box of belongings against the backdrop of the Federal Reserve's seal.The post also included a chart asserting that mortgage rates decreased from 6.94 percent to 6.26 percent during Trump's presidency.

The cartoon quickly went viral, reaching over 4.5 million views and accumulating 250,000 shares within 24 hours.
This move marks a notable escalation in Trump's repeated criticism of the Federal Reserve and Powell's approach to interest rate management.

Planner: kris
October 1, 2025
A cartoon depicting Donald Trump pointing at Jerome Powell, exclaiming 'you're fired', with Powell holding a cardboard box against the Federal Reserve's seal.

The tension between President Trump and the Federal Reserve has been ongoing, primarily centered on interest rate policy.Powell's cautious stance on lowering borrowing costs has drawn consistent criticism from Trump, who has argued that the central bank's policies are inhibiting economic growth.Just days before the cartoon was posted, Powell signaled reluctance to implement aggressive rate cuts, despite signs of a weakening job market.

Trump's public criticism represents a rare and highly visible instance of a former president directly challenging the central bank's leadership through social media, highlighting the broader debate over political influence and monetary policy decisions.


The meme, created using the online platform MakeAMeme.org, visually captures the dramatic confrontation between Trump and Powell.
Trump is depicted in a commanding posture, emphasizing his assertion that Powell should be removed from his position.Powell is shown in a passive stance, holding a cardboard box of belongings, a classic representation of termination.

Public engagement with the cartoon has been substantial, demonstrating the viral nature of political memes in the current media landscape.
The rapid spread of the image, alongside its 250,000 shares within a single day, underscores the resonance of the dispute among social media audiences.

Newsweek reported that the Federal Reserve's Public Affairs Office was contacted for comment regarding Trump's post, although no immediate response was provided at the time
Analysts and economists have noted that while the cartoon is primarily symbolic, it raises concerns about perceived political interference in the central bank's independent decision-making.

Observers emphasize that the Federal Reserve's credibility relies on its ability to operate free from political pressure, particularly in matters concerning interest rates and inflation management.
Trump's repeated public criticisms, therefore, have attracted attention not only in political circles, but also among market participants.

The viral cartoon and accompanying commentary may further complicate the public perception of the Federal Reserve's independence, especially as Powell's term approaches its conclusion.
While the image itself does not carry formal authority, the widespread attention it has garnered reflects ongoing political debates over the direction of U.S. monetary policy.

Financial markets and policymakers will likely continue monitoring the interaction between political figures and central bank leadership, as any perceived threats to institutional independence could influence investor confidence and market stability.
The situation remains fluid, with potential repercussions for both domestic economic policy and broader financial market sentiment.