Matt Peterson
@mattpeterson.bsky.social
Covering policymaking, economics, and financial markets for Barron’s. matt.peterson@dowjones.com
mattpeterson.me
mattpeterson.me
So are we going to get a new Fed chair this week?
January 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
So are we going to get a new Fed chair this week?
Former Rubio contact says he isn't Paul Bremer in Iraq: “We’re going to tell them: ‘Hey, this is what you have to do in order for there not to be another strike...That’s what [Trump] sees as running the country.'”
Rubio takes on most challenging role yet: Viceroy of Venezuela
The top U.S. diplomat has pushed for regime change for over a decade. Now the hard part begins.
wapo.st
January 4, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Former Rubio contact says he isn't Paul Bremer in Iraq: “We’re going to tell them: ‘Hey, this is what you have to do in order for there not to be another strike...That’s what [Trump] sees as running the country.'”
Reposted by Matt Peterson
With what? Are they going to put American trooops on the ground?
Trump: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."
January 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
With what? Are they going to put American trooops on the ground?
Trump: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."
January 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Trump: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."
From geologist Ivan Sandrea on LinkedIn, what a Venezuelan oil recovery might actually look like. Production may dip before it rises and would take years to return to peak levels.
January 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
From geologist Ivan Sandrea on LinkedIn, what a Venezuelan oil recovery might actually look like. Production may dip before it rises and would take years to return to peak levels.
Trump seems to be on a mission to singlehandedly put the political risk industry out of business. The Maduro capture is yet another shocking geopolitical upheaval that will be basically irrelevant to global businesses and investors.
(Unless you’re Chevron. RIP Mike Wirth’s Saturday.)
(Unless you’re Chevron. RIP Mike Wirth’s Saturday.)
January 3, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Trump seems to be on a mission to singlehandedly put the political risk industry out of business. The Maduro capture is yet another shocking geopolitical upheaval that will be basically irrelevant to global businesses and investors.
(Unless you’re Chevron. RIP Mike Wirth’s Saturday.)
(Unless you’re Chevron. RIP Mike Wirth’s Saturday.)
Reposted by Matt Peterson
The “actual or imminent attack” language speaks in intl law. (Under the UN Charter, states may use force in self defense against an armed attack — clearly not an actual grounds here.)
But it’s muddled with the Art II constitutional Q of presidential power to act without Congress.
But it’s muddled with the Art II constitutional Q of presidential power to act without Congress.
Sen Mike Lee with the first account I’ve seen of the Admin’s legal theory for the strikes. On the domestic law side — something like: Art II law enforcement power to capture Maduro (by invading his own country) combined with Art II power to protect those personnel executing the warrant.
January 3, 2026 at 10:53 AM
The “actual or imminent attack” language speaks in intl law. (Under the UN Charter, states may use force in self defense against an armed attack — clearly not an actual grounds here.)
But it’s muddled with the Art II constitutional Q of presidential power to act without Congress.
But it’s muddled with the Art II constitutional Q of presidential power to act without Congress.
There is going to be a logical pretzel here about Trump still waiting to be the president of peace. This wasn’t an invasion because it is a law enforcement action focused on drugs. But drugs are a national security threat that require military action.
January 3, 2026 at 11:07 AM
There is going to be a logical pretzel here about Trump still waiting to be the president of peace. This wasn’t an invasion because it is a law enforcement action focused on drugs. But drugs are a national security threat that require military action.
Reposted by Matt Peterson
New column on the Fed chair race. I don’t think Scott Bessent will end up in the job, but the process he running is designed to leave him empowered and working with a cooperative, deferential Fed chair. Assuming, of course, that it doesn’t all blow up in his face.
Trump’s Fed Chair Pick Puts Bessent in the Crosshairs. What He Has to Lose.
Scott Bessent has offered up candidates who share his vision of lower rates and cooperation with the White House. It could all backfire.
www.barrons.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New column on the Fed chair race. I don’t think Scott Bessent will end up in the job, but the process he running is designed to leave him empowered and working with a cooperative, deferential Fed chair. Assuming, of course, that it doesn’t all blow up in his face.
New column on the Fed chair race. I don’t think Scott Bessent will end up in the job, but the process he running is designed to leave him empowered and working with a cooperative, deferential Fed chair. Assuming, of course, that it doesn’t all blow up in his face.
Trump’s Fed Chair Pick Puts Bessent in the Crosshairs. What He Has to Lose.
Scott Bessent has offered up candidates who share his vision of lower rates and cooperation with the White House. It could all backfire.
www.barrons.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New column on the Fed chair race. I don’t think Scott Bessent will end up in the job, but the process he running is designed to leave him empowered and working with a cooperative, deferential Fed chair. Assuming, of course, that it doesn’t all blow up in his face.
The story of the Fed race is that Scott Bessent goes on the All-In pod and gives a detailed policy prescription for the Fed, citing academic research and economic history.
And then Trump will just up and post: "I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well"
And then Trump will just up and post: "I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well"
December 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The story of the Fed race is that Scott Bessent goes on the All-In pod and gives a detailed policy prescription for the Fed, citing academic research and economic history.
And then Trump will just up and post: "I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well"
And then Trump will just up and post: "I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well"
Scott Bessent on the All-In podcast appears to confirm that Michelle Bowman is out of the running for Fed chair. He says he's only expecting to sit through four chair interviews with the president. Warsh, Waller, Hassett have happened. Rieder is upcoming.
Or he could just be going on vacation.
Or he could just be going on vacation.
December 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Scott Bessent on the All-In podcast appears to confirm that Michelle Bowman is out of the running for Fed chair. He says he's only expecting to sit through four chair interviews with the president. Warsh, Waller, Hassett have happened. Rieder is upcoming.
Or he could just be going on vacation.
Or he could just be going on vacation.
I’m watching it now, and this appears to be true.
If you VPN into Canada you can watch the 60 Minutes CECOT story here (for now). Global TV appears to have posted the original tape by accident watch.globaltv.com/series/2893d...
Home | Global TV App | Watch Shows, Movies and Live TV
The Global TV App is home to some of the most watched Canadian channels. Watch full episodes, Live TV and Global News.
watch.globaltv.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I’m watching it now, and this appears to be true.
This is a good WaPo look at Bessent's partisan inclinations, but I strongly disagree that any of this started after he became secretary. Bessent is both fully MAGA and an experienced market hand. If he disagrees with Trump, it's on means, not ends. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 21, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This is a good WaPo look at Bessent's partisan inclinations, but I strongly disagree that any of this started after he became secretary. Bessent is both fully MAGA and an experienced market hand. If he disagrees with Trump, it's on means, not ends. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Karl Rove: "Mr. Trump despises Joe Biden, yet he’s making the same mistake his predecessor made...Telling voters not to believe their own lying checkbooks was politically insane. Mr. Trump is doing the same thing."
Opinion | Alarm Bells Ring, Are You Listening?
Between his rallies and online ranting, Trump is setting up a nasty midterm loss.
www.wsj.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Karl Rove: "Mr. Trump despises Joe Biden, yet he’s making the same mistake his predecessor made...Telling voters not to believe their own lying checkbooks was politically insane. Mr. Trump is doing the same thing."
The funny thing is that Romney isn't actually saying tax the rich like him, a mere centimillionaire. He wants us to tax the rich like Elon, a centibillioniare.
(OK some of the taxes would hit Romney-sized estates, but he's focused on "tax advantaged multibillionaires sailing 300-foot yachts.")
(OK some of the taxes would hit Romney-sized estates, but he's focused on "tax advantaged multibillionaires sailing 300-foot yachts.")
Mitt Romney is in the New York Times saying we should tax the rich.
December 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The funny thing is that Romney isn't actually saying tax the rich like him, a mere centimillionaire. He wants us to tax the rich like Elon, a centibillioniare.
(OK some of the taxes would hit Romney-sized estates, but he's focused on "tax advantaged multibillionaires sailing 300-foot yachts.")
(OK some of the taxes would hit Romney-sized estates, but he's focused on "tax advantaged multibillionaires sailing 300-foot yachts.")
The article is about property insurance
December 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The article is about property insurance
The huge bump in the stock price (+25%) strongly suggests investors had a very dim view of Truth Social ever turning a profit
Trump Media announces a $6b, all-stock merger to “create a company building fusion power plants to provide electricity for artificial intelligence.”
DJT Stock Soars. Trump Media Announces $6 Billion Merger With a Power Fusion Company.
The Truth Social parent agrees to merge with TAE Technologies in a $6 billion deal.
www.barrons.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The huge bump in the stock price (+25%) strongly suggests investors had a very dim view of Truth Social ever turning a profit
Trump Media announces a $6b, all-stock merger to “create a company building fusion power plants to provide electricity for artificial intelligence.”
DJT Stock Soars. Trump Media Announces $6 Billion Merger With a Power Fusion Company.
The Truth Social parent agrees to merge with TAE Technologies in a $6 billion deal.
www.barrons.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Trump Media announces a $6b, all-stock merger to “create a company building fusion power plants to provide electricity for artificial intelligence.”
Is there any reason to think Waller is actually leading Warsh other than the fact that Waller said stuff this morning?
December 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Is there any reason to think Waller is actually leading Warsh other than the fact that Waller said stuff this morning?
"'Anyone who gets the job is damaged goods,' said Andy Laperriere, head of U.S. policy research for Piper Sandler."
Good piece, though I think the crux of the issue is how that credibility plays out in the market. I'm not convinced either man would immediately prompt a sharp market reaction.
Good piece, though I think the crux of the issue is how that credibility plays out in the market. I'm not convinced either man would immediately prompt a sharp market reaction.
Next Fed Chair in ‘No-Win Scenario’ as Selection Process Draws to a Close
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"'Anyone who gets the job is damaged goods,' said Andy Laperriere, head of U.S. policy research for Piper Sandler."
Good piece, though I think the crux of the issue is how that credibility plays out in the market. I'm not convinced either man would immediately prompt a sharp market reaction.
Good piece, though I think the crux of the issue is how that credibility plays out in the market. I'm not convinced either man would immediately prompt a sharp market reaction.
Politico reports on worries within Trump’s circle about Hassett. Notably absent either for or against is Bessent, who is actually leading the Fed search. Bessent’s choice would seem to be the biggest open question about the choice. Is he pushing his friend Warsh as the next best thing to Bessent?
Trump officials privately raise doubts about Hassett for Fed chair
Hassett’s critics say he has not been effective as head of the National Economic Council, playing little part in driving policies.
www.politico.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Politico reports on worries within Trump’s circle about Hassett. Notably absent either for or against is Bessent, who is actually leading the Fed search. Bessent’s choice would seem to be the biggest open question about the choice. Is he pushing his friend Warsh as the next best thing to Bessent?
The Times looks at how Trump business interests overlap with SEC crypto cases in the second term. NYT finds that the SEC inherited 23 crypto cases, of which 14 were dropped, frozen, settled, or conceded. All of those had Trump ties. None of the remaining nine cases do www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
December 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The Times looks at how Trump business interests overlap with SEC crypto cases in the second term. NYT finds that the SEC inherited 23 crypto cases, of which 14 were dropped, frozen, settled, or conceded. All of those had Trump ties. None of the remaining nine cases do www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
Reposted by Matt Peterson
Barron's makes the Kevins race the cover story
December 13, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Barron's makes the Kevins race the cover story
Reposted by Matt Peterson
Beaten to the punch by @mattpeterson.bsky.social, but this backs up our piece from last week about concerns among bigwigs on Wall Street about the race for Fed chair www.ft.com/content/df10...
Jamie Dimon signals support for Kevin Warsh in Fed chair race
JPMorgan CEO says frontrunner Kevin Hassett would be more likely to back Donald Trump’s calls for interest rate cuts
www.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Beaten to the punch by @mattpeterson.bsky.social, but this backs up our piece from last week about concerns among bigwigs on Wall Street about the race for Fed chair www.ft.com/content/df10...