Trump Shares Cartoon Depicting Powell’s Firing, Escalates Criticism of Fed
President Donald Trump posted a cartoon on Truth Social showing him firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while also warning the EU over its digital rulebook that Washington claims unfairly targets American tech firms.
US President Donald Trump has once again targeted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, this time through a cartoon-style post on Truth Social. The image depicted Trump pointing at Powell and shouting “YOU’RE FIRED!” as the central banker held a cardboard box of belongings. The post comes amid Trump’s repeated demands for sharper interest rate cuts, which Powell has resisted, and ongoing legal disputes over Trump’s efforts to remove Fed officials. At the same time, Trump’s administration has intensified its warnings to the European Union over digital market regulations, signaling potential trade retaliation.
Trump vs. Powell
Powell’s current term as Fed chair is set to end in May next year. While the Federal Reserve recently made a minor rate cut, Trump has been pressing for deeper reductions. His frustration with Powell has been a recurring theme since returning to office. The cartoon was widely seen as a symbolic reflection of Trump’s impatience. In a separate controversy, Trump’s attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in August was blocked by the courts, underscoring limits on presidential authority over the Fed.
US Pushback on EU Digital Laws
The Trump administration is simultaneously ramping up its fight with Europe over the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA). US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder said Washington will submit formal complaints to Brussels, claiming the laws unfairly burden American firms like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta. Puzder argued that the rules, while presented as neutral, disproportionately impact US businesses and threaten free speech online.
Trump has threatened retaliatory tariffs and trade measures if the EU does not amend the regulations. Earlier this year, he suggested allies could face higher duties on cars and other goods if digital rules were seen as discriminatory.
Europe Stands Firm
EU leaders, however, insist the laws are impartial and essential to safeguard competition and user safety. France and Germany have openly backed Brussels, while EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager defended the DMA as a necessary tool to rein in the power of dominant platforms.
The dispute comes just months after Washington and Brussels struck a trade deal that temporarily calmed tariff tensions. But the looming digital showdown now threatens to reopen old wounds in transatlantic relations.
