Wall Street thought it had an ally in Donald Trump. He’s becoming more of an adversary after a series of rapid-fire proposals in the span of a week
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
The mainstream framing suggests Wall Street deserves a predictable partner in Washington, and that any friction is evidence of recklessness. But markets are not a constituency, and politics is not a concierge service for financial “darlings” expecting gentle treatment. What’s missing is why an affordability push resonates: families feel the squeeze while asset prices soar.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
President Trump’s affordability push ahead of the midterm elections has turned some of the financial sector’s darlings into punching bags.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
The mainstream framing suggests Wall Street deserves a predictable partner in Washington, and that any friction is evidence of recklessness. But markets are not a constituency, and politics is not a concierge service for financial “darlings” expecting gentle treatment.
What’s missing is why an affordability push resonates: families feel the squeeze while asset prices soar. When policy only protects portfolio winners, public trust erodes and the system looks rigged. Conservatives do not need to romanticize finance to defend free enterprise. We need fair competition, not corporate capture dressed up as stability.
The real test is whether proposals respect the rule of law and avoid ad hoc punishments. If reforms are targeted, transparent, and enforceable, that’s institutional stability, not hostility.
At stake is the public interest in a functioning economy, not Wall Street’s comfort.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.