Since the onset of President Donald Trump’s administration, several initiatives aimed at supporting the growth of the cryptocurrency market have been implemented, with key pro-crypto leaders appointed to significant positions.
However, as the U.S. economy grapples with the consequences of Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, respected investor Bill Ackman has raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest involving U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Lutnick’s Investments and the Impact of Tariffs
Ackman, a well-known hedge fund manager, has pointed out that Lutnick’s firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, is heavily invested in long-term bonds—financial instruments that typically thrive during economic slowdowns. With the recent economic turbulence caused by Trump’s tariffs, Ackman argues that Lutnick stands to benefit from rising bond prices, which occur when investors flock to safer assets during uncertain times.
Ackman’s accusations have sparked debate about whether Lutnick’s personal financial interests could be influencing his public duties as Secretary of Commerce. His role in the Trump administration, which includes supporting policies that aim to bolster the U.S. economy, could be at odds with his potential financial gain from a faltering economy.
I just figured out why @howardlutnick is indifferent to the stock market and the economy crashing. He and Cantor are long bonds. He profits when our economy implodes.
It’s a bad idea to pick a Secretary of Commerce whose firm is levered long fixed income. It’s an irreconcilable…
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) April 7, 2025
The Potential Conflict of Interest
Lutnick’s position as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce places him in a critical role when it comes to policy-making decisions that directly impact the country’s economic growth. Ackman has suggested that if Lutnick is profiting from the economic decline caused by the tariffs, his financial interests may conflict with his public responsibility to support and strengthen the U.S. economy.
Furthermore, Ackman warned that this situation could weaken the Trump administration’s position in global negotiations, especially when it comes to important matters like tariff talks with other nations. With Lutnick’s financial stake in long-term bonds, it’s unclear whether he is fully committed to pursuing policies that protect and grow the U.S. economy, or if his investments may be influencing his decision-making.
Lutnick’s Role in the Trump Administration’s Pro-Crypto Policy
Despite the concerns raised by Ackman, Lutnick is not alone in his pro-crypto stance within the Trump administration. As part of a broader effort to support cryptocurrency growth, the administration has welcomed several leaders with positive views on digital assets. These appointments were seen as a step toward a more crypto-friendly environment in the U.S., a move that resonated with the growing digital asset market.
However, the evolving situation with Lutnick highlights the potential tension between personal financial interests and public duties, especially when those duties involve making critical economic decisions that affect millions of Americans.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/billionaire-blames-trump-administration-for-profiting-amid-economic-decline/