MTG buys low as Trump tariffs trigger market chaos

Republican firebrand and avid Trump supporter, Marjorie Taylor Greene, made headline news last week for acquiring a significant number of distressed stocks during the market turmoil triggered by the President’s imposition of global tariffs. Greene’s investments not only involved buying shares but specifically focused on some of the market’s biggest casualties during the recent turmoil sparked by Trump’s tariff policies.

The President took to his social media platform, truth Social, urging followers on Wednesday morning to seize the opportunity to buy stocks during the market slump, a call that Greene seemed to heed. Subsequently, she acquired stocks from major companies such as Lululemon, Dell Computer, Amazon, and the parent company of Restoration Hardware after they suffered significant drops averaging around 40% late last week.

While details of the exact amount Greene invested in these stocks remain undisclosed, as per the three-page financial holdings document required for disclosure, it is evident that some of her investments began showing promising returns by the market’s close on Wednesday. For instance, RH, previously known as Restoration Hardware, surged by over a third since Friday, following Greene’s purchase, after enduring a substantial price collapse that even prompted the company’s CEO, Gary Friedman, to express shock during a call when the tariffs were announced. Similarly, Dell’s stocks rose by 9% after Greene acquired them last week, rebounding from a 50% value loss.

Interesting debates surrounding lawmakers engaging in stock trading amid potential conflicts of interest have surfaced recently. In light of the apparent conflict arising from holding shares in companies that legislators may influence significantly through their positions in office, members from both major parties have previously proposed bills to ban stock trading among lawmakers. When challenged about her involvement in making stock purchases and potential conflicts of interest, Greene clarified in a statement to AP that she had authorized her financial advisor to oversee her investments pursuant to a fiduciary agreement, emphasizing full transparency in reporting her investments.

Greene is renowned for her unwavering support for Trump’s trade policies, particularly tariffs. She lauded tariffs as a potent and proven strategy to safeguard national interests, proclaiming confidently on X that the US would emerge victorious from the ongoing trade war. However, Trump’s unexpected decision to pause the tariffs on Wednesday has stirred speculation among Democrats about possible market manipulations or insider trading.

The sudden shift in tariffs led some critics to question whether Trump’s announcement could have fueled potential insider trading activities given the drastic impact it had on the markets. As discussions linger on potential conflicts of interest in stock trading among lawmakers, Greene’s recent stock acquisitions remain a focal point in ongoing deliberations on legislative protocols surrounding investments made by public officials.