Why an aggressive rate cut could backfire on Trump
16 September 2025

Why an aggressive rate cut could backfire on Trump

The Indicator from Planet Money

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The Federal Reserve is expected to make a modest cut to interest rates this week of about a quarter or half a percentage point. President Trump, however, believes they should take a far more aggressive approach: a 3-percentage point cut. 

Today on the show, we examine what a 3-percentage point cut would actually look like, and why that outcome would likely backfire on the president. 

Related episodes: 
It's hard out there for a Fed chair 
Should presidents have more of a say in interest rates? 
Can the Federal Reserve stay independent? 

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