Instant View: Dollar, Treasury prices tumble after report Trump to fire Fed's Powell

Tesla's troubles aren't letting up—sales are dragging, and Elon Musk's electric vehicle giant is still struggling to turn things around. It's another rough patch for a company that once seemed unstoppable.

Editor’s Note: Tesla's slowdown isn't just bad news for Musk; it raises bigger questions about the EV market's growth. If even the industry leader is hitting speed bumps, it could signal tougher times ahead for electric cars as a whole.

JPMorgan Chase is introducing a new fee system that crypto and fintech startups say could severely hurt their businesses. Kraken’s co-CEO, Jesse Sethi, likened the fees to a "toll" that stifles innovation by making it harder for smaller players to compete. Essentially, bigger banks might be squeezing out disruptive newcomers.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about fees—it’s a power play. If big banks make it too expensive for startups to operate, we could see fewer innovative financial tools and less competition in the space. For everyday users, that might mean fewer choices and higher costs down the line. It’s a classic case of David vs. Goliath, but this time, Goliath’s changing the rules.

ASML, the Dutch tech powerhouse that makes ultra-advanced chipmaking machines (and basically keeps the entire AI industry running), just spooked investors by admitting it can't guarantee growth in 2026. Their stock nosedived 11% instantly—that’s $30 billion vanishing—because when ASML sneezes, the whole semiconductor sector catches a cold.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one company’s rough day. ASML’s machines are the backbone of cutting-edge AI chips, so uncertainty here ripples through everything from Nvidia’s GPUs to your future iPhone. If the company hitting pause on growth forecasts makes markets this jittery, it’s a reality check for the “AI can’t slow down” hype train.

Former President Donald Trump reportedly wrote a letter in 2020—while still in office—declaring his intent to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, according to sources familiar with the draft. The letter was never sent, but it reveals Trump’s frustration with Powell over interest rate policies. This adds to the long-standing tension between the two, with Trump previously criticizing Powell publicly for not doing enough to boost the economy.

Editor’s Note: This story matters because it shows how deeply personal and political the Fed’s decisions can become, especially under a president who saw monetary policy as a tool for short-term economic gains. The Fed is supposed to operate independently, but Trump’s draft letter—even if unsent—highlights the pressure leaders can try to exert behind the scenes. It’s a reminder of how fragile that independence can be when politics and economics collide.

A key figure behind the founding of National Public Radio (NPR) could soon witness the organization lose its federal funding, as political debates over public media intensify. The story highlights the irony of a pioneer potentially seeing his creation dismantled amid broader ideological clashes.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s a symbolic moment in the long-running battle over public broadcasting’s role in the U.S. Defunding NPR would reshape the media landscape, especially for rural and independent stations that rely on its resources. For supporters, it’s an ideological win; for critics, it’s a blow to trusted journalism. Either way, the stakes are real.