Many made millions in just a few hours. Is Trump manipulating the market to benefit a few?

A simple message from the president was enough for some to make fortunes. Congress is now investigating whether it was all a ploy to benefit his inner circle.

Amid this week's stock market panic, Donald Trump tweeted: "This is a great time to buy!!!" A few hours later, he unexpectedly suspended the tariffs that had caused the crash.

The result was immediate: the stock market rebounded sharply, and some investors made millions in a matter of hours. Now the question arises: Is Trump manipulating the economy to benefit a few?

The day Wall Street soared after a tweet

The US stock market had accumulated losses of more than 10% in just one week. The tension was evident. But that Tuesday, Trump published his optimistic message just as the market opened in the red. Shortly after, he announced a 90-day tariff truce for almost all countries except China.

The Nasdaq soared more than 12%, the Dow Jones enjoyed its best day since 2020, and some stocks doubled in value in a single session. Coincidence? Or insider trading for the benefit of a few?

Suspicions of manipulation from power

Congress was quick to react. Congressman Mike Levin was blunt: “This is not normal. This appears to be a case of manipulation orchestrated from the White House.”

Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans are demanding to know who bought shares just before the announcement. They are asking all members of Congress to disclose their recent transactions. The Ethics Committee has already opened a preliminary investigation.

Earnings that raise many questions

According to financial analysts, those who followed the president's advice and bought at the time were able to double their investments in a matter of hours. Some personal portfolios linked to figures close to Trump registered suspicious movements just before the announcement.

“The pattern is clear. Someone knew what was coming,” said a Senate aide who preferred to remain anonymous.

The White House tries to divert attention

Presidential spokesman Kush Desai rejected any accusations. “The president just wanted to calm the markets and protect citizens,” he said. But doubts persist, especially given the recent appointment of Paul Atkins—a longtime Trump ally—as chairman of the SEC, the agency that is supposed to investigate possible financial crimes.

Even Richard Painter, former Bush administration ethics chief, put it bluntly: “Trump is crossing a dangerous line. This isn’t transparency, it’s manipulation.”

A covert electoral strategy?

Some experts believe Trump is seeking to bolster his image as a "savior of the economy" right in the middle of an election year. With the markets trembling, any gesture that raises them allows him to present himself as the only one capable of protecting the country's financial stability.

But this move, although effective in the short term, could become a scandal if it is confirmed that there were direct beneficiaries within his entourage.

Everything remains the same... and the tweet is still visible

While a formal investigation is being called for, the message that shook the global economy remains unfiltered on his personal profile. For some, it's a show of leadership. For others, it's a warning about what happens when presidential power is confused with a channel for speculation.

In Washington, the debate is no longer about whether it was legal. The debate is about whether it was ethical. And how many more times could the same pattern be repeated?