On April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines with a dramatic shift in his tariff policies. After a week of escalating trade tensions, Trump announced a 90-day pause on most country-specific tariffs, excluding China, which faced an increased levy of 125%. This decision came after significant market turmoil, with global stocks plummeting in response to the sweeping tariffs introduced earlier in the month. Following the announcement, U.S. markets rebounded sharply, with the S&P 500 surging by over 9% by the end of the day.
The timing of Trump’s announcement raised eyebrows, as it followed a social media post earlier in the day urging investors to buy stocks. Critics accused Trump of potential insider trading or market manipulation, given the immediate market recovery that benefited his own business interests. Democratic lawmakers called for an investigation into the matter, citing ethical concerns.
Meanwhile, Trump continued to use his executive powers to target political adversaries. He ordered investigations into two former officials, Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor, accusing them of disloyalty and misconduct during his first term. These actions drew sharp criticism from Democrats and watchdog organizations, who labeled them as unprecedented abuses of power.
April 9, 2025, underscored the complexities of Trump’s leadership, blending assertive policy moves with contentious decisions. It highlighted the challenges shaping his presidency in its second term.