Core Viewpoint - The article discusses President Trump's dissatisfaction with the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates, highlighting his political motivations and the implications for the U.S. economy [1][3][5]. Group 1: Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve has announced for the third consecutive time that it will not lower interest rates, leading to President Trump's complaints about dealing with Chairman Powell [1]. - Trump has previously urged the Fed to lower rates, suggesting that a 100 basis point cut could reduce annual interest expenses by $400 billion, alleviating debt pressure and supporting his political agenda [3]. Group 2: Economic Performance - The U.S. GDP shrank by 0.3% on a year-over-year basis in the first quarter of 2025, marking the worst quarterly performance since 2022, which exceeded market expectations [3]. - The decline in GDP was primarily attributed to a significant increase in imports and a reduction in government spending, reflecting the uncertainty caused by the government's trade policies [3]. Group 3: Political Dynamics - Trump's strategy appears to be aimed at shifting blame for economic issues onto Powell, framing them as failures of individual decision-making rather than structural problems [1]. - The ongoing tensions between Trump and Powell signal a growing rift in the U.S. political and financial system, raising questions about the credibility of the country's institutional checks and balances [7].

Market Overview - On April 21, U.S. stock markets experienced a significant decline, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 970 points, marking a 2.48% decrease. The Nasdaq fell by 2.55%, and the S&P 500 decreased by 2.36% [3] - All eleven sectors of the S&P 500 index saw declines, with consumer discretionary and technology sectors leading the drop at 2.86% and 2.72%, respectively [5] Federal Reserve and Economic Concerns - President Trump urged the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, claiming that the U.S. is not experiencing inflation and warning of potential economic slowdown if rates are not cut [3] - Concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve have intensified, especially with discussions about the possibility of Trump’s team legally dismissing Fed Chair Powell before his term ends in May 2026 [3] Company-Specific Developments - Tesla's stock fell by 5.75%, with reports indicating a significant drop in sales in Europe, particularly in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, where sales fell over 50% [6] - Nvidia's shares decreased by 4.51% after announcing a $5.5 billion quarterly charge related to export restrictions on its H20 graphics processors, indicating potential growth slowdown [6] - Apple shares dropped by 1.94%, with analysts predicting continued declines and lowering the target price from $184 to $141 per share, despite a current average target of $241 from Wall Street analysts [7] Energy Sector Performance - The energy sector faced widespread declines, with U.S. energy stocks dropping over 6%, including Chevron down 3% and Murphy Oil down over 2% [8]