President Trump blasted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday, saying Powell has “mental problems” and that he would “love to fire his a–,” but noted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged restraint.
Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Trump joked with the audience and pressed Bessent to “work on this guy,” even warning that inaction could cost him his job.
“[Powell’s] got some real mental problems. There’s something wrong with him. I’ll be honest, I’d love to fire his a–,” Trump said. “He should be fired. Guy is grossly incompetent.”
He continued: “The only thing Scott is blowing it on is the Fed because the Fed — the rates are too high, Scott. And if you don’t get it fixed fast, I’m going to fire your a–, okay?”
According to Trump, Bessent has asked him to hold off until Powell’s term ends in May 2026: “‘Sir, don’t fire him… he’s got three months to go. Please, he’s a voice of reason.’”
Trump has long criticized Powell — whom he appointed in 2018 — for keeping interest rates elevated, calling him “stupid,” “dumb,” and “hardheaded” while urging faster cuts to ease pressure on borrowers and revive growth.
Watch the clip below:
.@POTUS: "Mortgage rates are down despite the Fed. @SecScottBessent, you gotta work on this guy… There's something wrong with him… I'll be honest, I'd love to fire his ass. He should be fired — guy's grossly incompetent." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MwHTmfsyra
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 19, 2025
More over at The New York Post:
Trump says Powell has ‘mental problems,’ urges Bessent to ‘work on this guy:’ ‘I’d love to fire his ass’ https://t.co/vwJKtQzQvw pic.twitter.com/Hyr9SUO2PD
— New York Post (@nypost) November 20, 2025
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