Trump and the Fed: Clash Over Renovation Costs…

In a heated and unexpected moment, former President Donald Trump clashed publicly with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a visit to the Fed’s headquarters this week. The flashpoint? A dispute over the cost of the building’s long-planned renovation.

Trump claimed the renovation was “wasting $3.1 billion in taxpayer money,” calling it a “national embarrassment.” Powell quickly responded, clarifying that Trump had “grossly inflated” the number, with actual expenditures approved by Congress and far below the figure mentioned.

The exchange, caught on camera, reignited tensions between Trump and the central bank—an institution he frequently criticized during his presidency. The confrontation underscores Trump’s ongoing populist messaging on government spending, even as critics accuse him of distorting facts for political impact.

With the 2026 midterms approaching and Trump maintaining a dominant role in Republican politics, moments like these are likely to fuel both headlines and division. Whether this latest spat will influence public trust in the Fed or just rally Trump’s base remains to be seen.