Donald Trump would like to personally run the economy. In his second term, the president has attempted to bend the Federal Reserve to his will, threatened individual countries and even companies with tariffs, and gotten government stakes
Donald Trump would like to personally run the economy. In his second term, the president has attempted to bend the Federal Reserve to his will, threatened individual countries and even companies with tariffs, and gotten government stakes
Aug. 22, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT By Charlie Herman President Donald Trump has long boasted that he understands ordinary Americans better than other politicians. But this week offered signs that he may be out of step with