President Donald Trump has quietly purchased at least $103 million in corporate and municipal bonds since taking office in January, according to NBC News. [1]
The filings from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) provide a rare glimpse into the president’s growing investment portfolio.
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His bond-heavy portfolio signals a bet on interest rates dropping. After all, he’s pressuring the Federal Reserve to make that happen. [2] If rates fall, bond prices will rise — meaning Trump’s holdings could appreciate significantly.
According to Forbes, Trump has an estimated net worth of $6.1 billion. His wealth increased by more than $3.2 billion in the past year, and his aggressive bond purchases could further accelerate this trend. [3]
The impact of falling interest rates could trickle down to everyday Americans.
An unprecedented bond binge
The OGE documents show Trump began his buying spree one day after his inauguration on January 20. He made roughly 690 transactions through Aug.1.
His purchases span a wide range of debt instruments — from bonds issued by the New York Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority to those tied to hospital facilities, airports, school districts, and regional development funds nationwide.
Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
As Reuters reports, Trump also invested heavily in corporate bonds from megabanks like Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. He also holds significant investments in Qualcomm, T-Mobile USA, Home Depot, UnitedHealth Group, and Meta. [4]
Notably, the filings show no sales of bonds, suggesting Trump is positioning for potential price gains if market conditions shift.
This level of trading by the president raises questions about possible conflicts of interest. The administration could influence policies affecting corporations and municipalities whose debt Trump owns.
How Trump’s bet could impact Americans
If Trump wins his bet that interest rates will decline, it will affect everyday Americans. Whether you benefit depends on whether you plan to borrow or save money.
Borrowers win:
- Homebuyers: If you’re an aspiring homeowner, a mortgage rate drop from 7% to 6.5% on a $450,000, 30-year loan could reduce monthly payments by $150. [5]
- Credit Card holders: Variable-rate APRs tend to decline when the Federal Reserve cuts rates.
- Consumers with debt: Auto loans, personal loans, and lines of credit become affordable for borrowers.[6]
Savers take a hit:
- High-Yield Savings Accounts: Current yields around 4.5% could fall to 2–3%, cutting interest income nearly in half.
- Retirees: Fixed-income products like Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and GICs offer smaller payouts, squeezing returns for those relying on stable income streams. [7]
- Future homebuyers: If your down payment is in a high-yield savings account or short-term GIC, your money grows more slowly, stretching timelines for reaching financial goals.
How Americans can prepare
Households should plan for both the upsides and downsides of lower rates:
- Refinance Debt: Consumers should lock in lower mortgage, auto, or personal loan rates before they rise again.
- Invest Strategically: A good tip is to consider equities or diversified bond ETFs to benefit from the value of rising assets.
- Diversify Your Savings: Don’t Rely Solely on High-Yield Accounts. Explore Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), or Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), which are not volatile.
- Ladder Fixed-Income Investments: Spread bond or CD maturities to manage reinvestment risk and maintain predictable returns.
- Build Emergency Reserves: Keep enough cash on hand to prepare for volatile markets and unexpected expenses.
While the White House insists these investments are managed “independently,” Trump’s unprecedented trading activity blurs the line between policy and personal profit.
For Americans, falling rates can reshape both your borrowing power and your savings strategy. Whether you win or lose depends on how quickly you adapt.
Article sources
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[1]. NBC News. “Trump bought more than $100 million in bonds since January, filings show”
[2]. BBC. “Trump vs the Fed: Why this row could rattle the US economy”
[3]. Forbes “Profile: Donald Trump”
[4]. Reuters “Trump buys more than $100 million in bonds since inauguration, disclosure shows”
[5]. CBS “Here’s how much homebuyers will save if they wait for rates to drop”
[6]. CBS “Will credit card interest rates finally drop this September?”
[7]. Synchrony “How Fed interest rate decisions impact CD accounts”
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