In a rare visit to the Federal Reserve, Donald Trump publicly confronts Jerome Powell over Fed HQ renovation expenses — Powell fires back with facts, cameras rolling.
📍 First Presidential Visit to the Fed in 20 Years Turns Tense
In a highly unusual and dramatic moment, former US President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve headquarters — the first such visit by a sitting president in two decades — and engaged in a heated on-camera exchange with Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the cost of the central bank’s ongoing renovation.
Both Trump and Powell donned construction hard hats as they walked through the still-under-renovation premises. What was supposed to be a tour quickly turned into a televised sparring match.
💬 “It Looks Like $3.1 Billion,” Says Trump — Powell Disagrees
While addressing reporters before the tour, Trump claimed the project was ballooning in cost:
“It looks like it’s about $3.1 billion,” he said.
Powell immediately corrected him in front of cameras, shaking his head:
“I’m not aware of that. I haven’t heard that from anybody at the Fed.”
According to the Federal Reserve, the renovation budget is officially $2.5 billion — not $3.1 billion.
📄 Trump Pulls Out Papers, Powell Pushes Back
In a move fit for television, Trump pulled a document from his jacket pocket and handed it to Powell. The Fed chair briefly examined it and pointed out Trump’s mistake:
“You’re adding a third building… that was built five years ago. It’s not new,” Powell responded, dismissing the claim of new construction.
Trump countered, “It’s a building that’s being built,” continuing to insist that the figures presented to him were accurate.
🧱 Trump Wants It Done Faster — And Cheaper
After the tour, Trump took to Truth Social to double down on his critique:
“Let’s just get it finished and, even more importantly, lower interest rates!”
He also wrote that the project “has got a long way to go” and added, “would have been much better if it were never started, but it is what it is.”
🏛️ Powell Maintains Professional Silence Amid Pressure
This interaction follows months of Trump’s criticism aimed at Jerome Powell, including calling him a “stubborn mule” and even floating the idea of firing him. Despite the pressure campaign, Powell has remained largely silent publicly and continues to maintain that the Fed needs to be patient in evaluating economic data and the impact of Trump-era tariffs on inflation.
📌 Context: A Political Power Play in Public View
The public nature of this confrontation is rare — particularly when it involves the independent central bank. The optics of a president publicly challenging the Fed chair on fiscal decisions and renovation budgets reflect broader tensions between the executive and the institution designed to operate without political influence.
📲 Social Media Buzz
The moment quickly went viral across social media platforms, with the video clip of the hard-hat debate between Trump and Powell drawing wide attention.
🔚 Conclusion
While the actual renovation may continue quietly behind closed doors, the political theatrics and power struggle between Trump and the Federal Reserve are now on full display — literally and figuratively.
