Trump surprises everyone by forgetting he appointed Jerome Powell as Fed chair

In the United States, former President Donald Trump made headlines after he appeared to forget that he appointed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chairman during his presidency. At an event on July 17, 2025, Trump remarked that he was 'surprised' Powell was nominated to continue in the role by President Joe Biden, raising eyebrows among observers. This incident seemed to underscore a pattern of cognitive lapses that have become a topic of discussion regarding Trump's mental acuity, especially as he approaches the upcoming 2024 election. Critics noted that denying the past history of Powell’s appointment could indicate troubling signs of memory loss on the part of Trump. Furthermore, Trump's comments came shortly after he recounted a peculiar tale involving his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, which included fictitious claims of conversing about notorious figure Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. These remarks further contributed to ongoing concerns about Trump's grasp on factual events and whether his public speaking reflects a deteriorating cognitive state. Democratic opponents have seized this opportunity to highlight Trump's verbal missteps as a central theme in campaign discussions leading up to the Election Day 2024. In addition to his comments about Powell and his uncle, Trump has increasingly criticized Powell’s handling of monetary policies, blaming him for not acting more aggressively in cutting interest rates. Trump argued that Powell only made significant decisions around the last election to favor the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris. This disdain for Powell's leadership has continued to escalate, affecting public opinions about the integrity of Trump's prior decisions. Some critics seek to dissect the implications this has for American economic policy and the Federal Reserve's operations as the next election approaches. As the political landscape heats up, Trump's gaffes and questionable claims may very well become ammunition for Democrats. Questions about his cognitive state combined with a strategy that promotes narratives based on inaccuracies may hinder his campaign’s momentum, leading many to speculate about Trump’s viability as a candidate in an environment where factual accuracy is becoming increasingly essential.