On a quiet Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump posted just seven words on Truth Social that sent shockwaves through the financial world: “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.” Within hours, the markets responded with a surge not seen in months. The S&P 500 climbed 9.5%, while the Nasdaq skyrocketed more than 12%.
That same afternoon, Trump reversed course on his aggressive tariff stance by announcing a sudden 90-day pause on most international tariffs—excluding only China.
This shift stunned analysts and delighted investors. But it also triggered an avalanche of questions about who knew what—and when.
Senator Adam Schiff didn’t wait long to raise the alarm. He called for an immediate insider trading investigation, questioning whether Trump or anyone in his orbit tipped off allies before the market-moving announcement.
In a video shared online, Schiff asked bluntly, “Did people around him trade stock knowing the incredible gyration the market was about to go through?” He urged whistleblowers to step forward and promised a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
Just days before this surprising tariff pause, Trump had rattled investors with his declaration of “Liberation Day” tariffs—measures so severe they sent the S&P 500 tumbling over 10% in a single day. Economists warned the policy could tip the U.S. into a recession.
But then, almost as abruptly, Trump reversed course—excluding only China from tariff relief. This back-and-forth approach has left markets jittery and critics wondering if the chaos is being manipulated for personal gain.
Trump signed his market-timing post with “DJT,” his initials. But those same letters also represent the stock ticker symbol for Trump Media & Technology Group—his own social media company. That stock jumped 22% the same day.
Observers see this as more than coincidence. They fear the post wasn’t just encouragement for retail investors—it may have been a subtle signal to insiders with prior knowledge of the policy shift.
The possibility that someone profited from that information adds urgency to Schiff’s investigation.
Senator Chris Murphy didn’t hold back. “Which of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago friends or billionaire advisers were able to capitalize on that inside information?” he asked publicly. He went on to call the White House “one giant grift.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also raised the stakes, suggesting members of Congress might be involved. “We’re about to learn a few things,” she said. “It’s time to ban insider trading in Congress.”
While the focus remains on Trump’s tweet and policy reversal, new reports show that Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene made major stock purchases just after Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement.
She bought large positions in Apple and Amazon—two companies that gained significantly after the policy U-turn.
The timing has raised eyebrows across party lines and increased calls for transparency in how members of Congress manage their investments.
Trump Defends the Move, Says Fear Was Driving Markets
Under fire, Trump tried to justify the abrupt shift in policy. “People were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid,” he said in a press conference. He claimed the decision had been under discussion for days, even though the White House described it as a negotiation tactic just hours before.
Critics argue that if this reversal had truly been in the works for some time, then people close to the president may have had time to make trades before the news went public.
As the dust settles and market volatility lingers, Senator Schiff continues to lead the charge for accountability. “This isn’t just about politics,” he said. “It’s about protecting the financial security of the American people.”
He warned that any attempts to enrich insiders at the expense of average Americans must be exposed. With his call for whistleblowers and a full investigation, the pressure is growing for transparency and reform.
Beyond the profits and politics lies a deeper issue: trust. If those in power can move markets and benefit from that movement—without oversight—then public faith in government and markets erodes.
As Schiff, Murphy, and others demand answers, the public watches closely. Will the investigation uncover a financial scandal at the highest levels—or will it expose even wider corruption within Washington?
The story is far from over, but one thing is clear: someone knew the market was about to jump—and the American people deserve to know who it was.