3 things Trump did in 24 hours to show that he’s in control of American business

Market Interventions - President Trump has initiated three significant state interventions in various markets, indicating a shift from traditional Republican laissez-faire policies to more direct control over economic activities [2][3] - The interventions include a ban on large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, a cap on executive compensation in the defense sector, and control over Venezuelan oil proceeds [5][9][16] Housing Market - Trump announced a ban on "large institutional investors," such as private equity firms and real estate trusts, from buying single-family homes, emphasizing that "people live in homes, not corporations" [5] - Following the announcement, stocks of institutional investors like Blackstone and Invitation Homes dropped by 6%, with American Homes 4 Rent experiencing trading halts due to volatility [6] - Institutional investors currently own only 2% of the housing stock, but their presence is concentrated in cities like Atlanta and Jacksonville [7] Defense Sector - Trump expressed frustration with the slow pace of weapons production and announced a cap on executive compensation at major defense contractors at $5 million annually, contrasting with typical CEO salaries of $18 million to $25 million [9][10] - An executive order formalized this policy, restricting how defense contractors can use profits and compensating executives, including barring stock buybacks and dividends for underperforming firms [11] - This move has raised concerns about the legal implications and the potential expropriation of decision-making power from shareholders to the state [12][14] Venezuelan Oil Control - Following the arrest of Venezuela's president, Trump announced U.S. control over approximately 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil, valued at around $3.5 billion, with proceeds to be used exclusively for American-made goods [16][17] - This arrangement creates a "closed-loop" system that prioritizes American manufacturing over market-driven decisions, marking a significant shift towards managed trade [18] - The administration's approach reflects a broader trend of dictating market outcomes, including home purchases and executive pay, rather than allowing market forces to operate freely [19]