TL;DR

Trump’s actions have manipulated the stock market, causing significant losses for everyday investors while benefiting his own business interests. This highlights the risk of conflicts of interest and the fragility of the financial system when powerful players prioritize personal gain over public good.

Story

Another day, another scandal. Remember the 2008 crash? This feels eerily similar. John, a retiree, lost his life savings when the market tanked after Trump’s tariff threats. He’s not alone. Millions were impacted. This wasn’t some random event; it was a calculated move.

How the Sausage Gets Made: Trump, through his business dealings, manipulated the market. Think of it like this: He whispers to his friends on Wall Street, they buy low, he makes a big announcement that impacts the market, and they sell high, making huge profits. Meanwhile, everyday investors like John get crushed. It’s a classic pump and dump, but on a national scale. Then, the icing on the cake: Trump Media & Technology Group’s SPAC deal with Crypto.com to create a crypto treasury firm. This isn’t just some random investment—it’s a perfect storm of potential conflicts of interest and the blatant exploitation of loopholes.

The Human Cost: People like John lost their homes, their savings, their retirement dreams. Families were shattered. This isn’t abstract; these are real people facing real devastation. The consequences spread like wildfire—lost jobs, economic instability, and a growing distrust in the system.

Learning to Spot the Rats: Look for these warning signs: Politicians making sudden announcements that benefit their businesses or allies, unusual market volatility coinciding with political events, opaque business dealings, and a lack of transparency. Remember Enron? This is the 21st-century version—slicker, more deceptive, but with the same rotten core.

The Cynical Conclusion: Trust is a commodity, and in today’s financial markets, it’s often in short supply. While a truly free market might be a myth, we could at least shoot for something a little less rigged. Never forget: The system isn’t always playing fair. Remember Enron; remember 2008. Protect yourself.

Advice

Diversify your investments, stay informed about political and economic events, and always be wary of promises of guaranteed high returns. The system may be rigged; protect yourself.

Source

https://www.reddit.com/r/investing/comments/1n2mk6m/are_we_still_a_free_market_when_the_executive/