Powell, mocked by Trump [Capture from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social account]

U.S. President Donald Trump has mocked Jerome Powell, the chairman of the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed), who is soon to step down from his post, urging him to lower interest rates.

On the 4th (local time), Trump posted a photo on his social media platform Truth Social showing Powell falling into a large trash can.

He then posted a short message stating, "'Too Late' is a disaster for America," and "interest rates are too high."

"Too Late" is a phrase Trump has used to criticize Powell for not sufficiently responding to his calls for a benchmark interest rate cut.

Trump's photo and short post are interpreted as a continued criticism of Chairman Powell and a plea for interest rate cuts.

Powell's term as chairman ends on the 15th of this month. If former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, whom Trump nominated as his successor, successfully passes the Senate confirmation process, he will take over as chairman.

The confirmation of former Governor Warsh's nomination recently passed the Senate Banking Committee, and many anticipate it will also pass the full Senate without significant hurdles.

However, while Chairman Powell will step down from his chairmanship upon the expiration of his term, he intends to remain on the Fed's Board of Governors and retain his position as a governor until the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into the costs of renovating Fed headquarters is fully concluded. His term as a Fed governor, separate from his chairmanship, runs until January 2028.

This goes against the past practice of Fed chairs leaving the Fed upon the completion of their term as chairman, even if they had remaining terms as governors.

Trump's mockery and criticism of Chairman Powell on this day are also interpreted as an expression of dissatisfaction with Powell's intention to remain at the Fed even after his chairmanship ends.

On the 29th of last month, Trump also launched a scathing attack on Powell's stance, stating, "He wants to stay at the Fed because he can't get a job anywhere else. Nobody wants him."