Trump says Fed chair should lower interest rates, alleges “criminality” in building project

Record ID: 2367623

  • Title: Trump says Fed chair should lower interest rates, alleges “criminality” in building project
  • Date: 19th March 2026
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (MARCH 19, 2026) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MEETING WITH JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SANAE TAKAICHI (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, IN EXCHANGE WITH OFF-CAMERA REPORTER, SAYING: REPORTER: “The Fed chairman (Jerome Powell) told me yesterday that he plans to stay on until a new Fed chairman is confirmed and
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donald Trump Fed Japan Jerome Powell POTUS
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Budget/Taxation/Revenue,North America,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001562919032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday (March 19), where he used an exchange with reporters to sharply criticize Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and renew calls for lower interest rates.
    Speaking during the meeting, Trump said Powell “should be lowering interest rates immediately,” calling him “stubborn” and “incompetent,” and arguing that current economic conditions warranted a cut in borrowing costs.
    His remarks came a day after the Federal Reserve held rates steady and signaled only one potential rate cut later this year, despite projecting higher inflation linked in part to rising oil prices following the conflict involving Iran.
    Trump also alleged “criminality” related to a costly Federal Reserve building renovation project, suggesting that the price tag—reportedly in the billions—was unjustified. He said the project pointed either to incompetence or possible dishonesty, adding that such costs were excessive for what he described as a renovation rather than a new structure.
    During the meeting, Trump compared the project to his own construction experience, claiming it should cost far less and be completed more efficiently.
    (Production: Jose Pablo Diaz)
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register