Trump bought Apple, Nvidia and other tech giants before tariff reversal fueled rebound

In early April 2025, while global trade tensions loomed, President Donald Trump capitalized on a significant stock market dip he indirectly influenced. On April 8, he executed 327 stock trades, an unusually high number compared to his yearly average of around 62, according to a CNBC analysis of his annual financial disclosure. This buying spree occurred following a four-day market decline triggered by Trump's announcement of extensive tariffs, which he referred to as "liberation day." The S&P 500 index plummeted over 12% during this period, nearing bear market territory. However, Trump's timely investments in major technology stocks, including Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia, aimed to reverse the downward trend. On April 9, shortly after the market opened, Trump urged investors on his social media platform, Truth Social, declaring, "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!" Later that day, he retracted some of the previously announced tariffs, resulting in a remarkable 9.5% surge in the S&P 500—one of its best performances in history. Since Trump's purchases on April 8, the index has rallied approximately 50%. The White House has denied any conflicts of interest, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly asserting that Trump and his family do not engage in such practices. Trump himself stated that his trades are managed by external parties, emphasizing, "I don't get involved in my personal — we have funds that run my money." His notable purchases included between $100,001 and $250,000 in shares of each of the aforementioned tech giants. These stocks, part of the so-called Magnificent Seven, were significantly affected by the tariff announcement but rebounded strongly after Trump's policy adjustments. For example, Apple saw a 5% decline on the day of Trump's trades but rebounded over 15% the following session, marking its best trading day since 1998. Similarly, Nvidia experienced a nearly 19% gain the day after Trump's intervention. In his extensive financial disclosure, Trump reported $2.24 billion in revenue for 2025, highlighting income from various sources, including cryptocurrency and golf-related properties. His stock market activities have raised eyebrows among everyday investors, with mixed reactions on platforms like Reddit's WallStreetBets. Some users lauded their timely investments, while others criticized Trump's actions as potentially manipulative, questioning the ethics of his market engagement.