Did some U.S. officials have a crystal ball before Trump’s 2025 tariff bombshell? A ProPublica report reveals over a dozen senior government figures and congressional aides sold stocks just days before the former president announced global tariffs that tanked markets. 💼📉
Timing Is Everything… Or Suspicious?
Among the sellers: a State Department official and a key trade policy architect, both offloading tens of thousands in stocks before April 2—the day Trump unveiled tariffs targeting major U.S. trading partners. A White House lawyer also dumped shares in nine firms ahead of another trade policy shakeup. 🕒💸
ProPublica’s analysis shows these trades happened right before market-moving announcements, with some shifting gains into bonds or cash. Critics argue it raises ethical red flags about insider access. 🚩
Why It Matters for Gen Z
For young investors and professionals tracking market trends, this story highlights how policy moves can ripple through portfolios—and who might be getting a head start. 🧠💡 While no laws were broken, the optics fuel debates about transparency in government financial dealings. 🌐⚖️
As one analyst quipped: “When the stock market dips, someone’s always holding an umbrella.” ☔️
