The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency
Alleged insider trading around market moves that closely precede Donald Trump’s announcements has reignited concerns about corruption and kleptocracy at the highest levels of U.S. government. Commenters argue that presidential pardon power, recent Supreme Court rulings on presidential immunity, and weak enforcement make meaningful consequences unlikely, deepening public distrust in institutions. Proposals range from banning individual stock trading by officials and curbing pardon powers to electoral and campaign finance reforms, though many express skepticism that such changes will ever be enacted.
Insider Trading Allegations and Evidence
- Many commenters see the trading patterns around Trump-era announcements as obviously indicative of illegal insider trading, especially given spikes minutes before market-moving posts or interviews.
- Others are skeptical, noting the article shows correlation but no identified leakers, traced communications, or named individuals.
- Some point out that sophisticated or algorithmic traders can legitimately profit from volatility and Trump’s predictability without inside information.
- There’s interest in whether any leaks concern the precise timing of announcements, which would be harder to explain as prediction alone.
Pardons, Immunity, and Lack of Accountability
- Several argue that insider trading and related corruption are unlikely to be punished due to presidential pardon power and recent Supreme Court rulings expanding presidential immunity.
- Some claim this creates a “kleptocracy” in which the president can both commit crimes and shield accomplices.
- Others emphasize that pardons apply only to federal offenses, leaving state-level prosecutions theoretically possible, but still seen as politically unlikely.
- Impeachment and Senate conviction are cited as the only real check, but considered practically unattainable given partisan incentives.
Media Coverage, “Suspicions,” and Legal Constraints
- The BBC article’s cautious language (“suspicions,” “hallmarks”) is criticized as “performative neutrality” and “sanewashing” that downplays apparent wrongdoing.
- Counterarguments stress presumption of innocence and the need for journalists to avoid outright declarations of guilt before legal findings, especially under stricter UK defamation standards.
- There’s disagreement over how different UK and US libel laws really are, and how much evidence journalists must have before characterizing conduct as criminal.
Structural Corruption and Reform Ideas
- Many see insider trading as part of broader systemic corruption: money in politics, revolving doors, and lack of consequences after crises (e.g., 2008).
- Proposed fixes: banning individual stock trading for elected and appointed officials (with doubts about enforcement via family/friends), public campaign financing, electoral reforms (score voting, recalls, national ballot questions, “no confidence” option).
- Some hope a post-Trump backlash will curb presidential powers; others note past failures to do so and predict continuity.
Cynicism, Apathy, and Resistance
- Strong currents of pessimism: belief that “nothing will happen,” cult-of-personality politics, and captured institutions.
- A minority urges non-acquiescence and creative civic pressure, including protest, while others advise focusing on problems individuals can realistically affect.