As global markets reeled under the weight of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff threats, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene made a series of stock purchases that stood in stark contrast to the widespread investor panic. While major indices plunged and investors offloaded shares in fear, Greene—one of the most vocal supporters of Trump’s protectionist trade agenda—bought into the chaos.
According to recently filed congressional financial disclosures, Taylor Greene purchased stock in companies that had taken some of the steepest hits during last week’s market meltdown, including Lululemon, Dell Technologies, Amazon, and RH (formerly Restoration Hardware). On average, the stocks she picked up were down approximately 40% at the time of purchase. Though the financial disclosure forms do not reveal exact dollar amounts, they confirm that her acquisitions occurred during the height of market volatility.
RH and Dell Surge as Trump Pauses Tariffs
Among Taylor Greene’s selections, RH emerged as a standout winner. The luxury home furnishings retailer had experienced a dramatic collapse that sent shockwaves through the market and even rattled company leadership. “Oh, sh…!” RH CEO Gary Friedman exclaimed during a conference call last week, reacting to the precipitous drop in the company’s stock value. However, the narrative flipped quickly after Trump announced a 90-day pause on most of the proposed “reciprocal tariffs”—a move that sparked a sharp rebound. RH shares soared more than 33% from Friday’s close, netting Taylor Greene an early gain on her investment.
Dell Technologies, another stock battered by the tariff fears, also rebounded following Taylor Greene’s purchase. After losing more than half its value, the tech firm’s stock climbed 9% following Trump’s tariff delay. Although markets dipped again on Thursday, they remained well above the levels recorded earlier in the week, making Taylor Greene’s timing appear remarkably prescient.
Conflict of Interest Concerns Spark Renewed Criticism
Taylor Greene’s trades have reignited bipartisan calls for stricter regulations on congressional stock trading. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation aimed at curbing potential conflicts of interest, arguing that elected officials should not benefit from market decisions influenced by their policy stances or insider knowledge. Proposals include the Transparent Representation Upholding Service and Trust in Congress Act and the more recently introduced End Congressional Stock Trading Act.
Despite strong public support for such reforms, none of the bills have successfully cleared both chambers of Congress. Critics argue that stock trading by lawmakers continues to undermine public trust and presents a glaring ethical dilemma. Taylor Greene’s purchases—made just days before Trump paused tariffs and encouraged his followers to “BUY” stocks—are being viewed as a prime example of why reform is urgently needed.
MAGA Lawmaker Unapologetic About Tariff Stance
While Taylor Greene has not publicly commented on her recent trades, she has remained vocal in her support for Trump’s trade policies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year, she defended tariffs as a strategic tool, writing, “Tariffs are a powerful proven source of leverage to protect our national interests. We will win this trade war.”
Her unwavering alignment with Trump’s economic agenda was on full display again this week. Just hours before the White House announced a temporary pause on tariffs, Trump took to Truth Social to rally his base, declaring, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” The post coincided with the market’s turnaround and the rebound of stocks Taylor Greene had recently acquired.
Silence from Taylor Greene’s Office Amid Rising Scrutiny
Despite multiple inquiries from the Associated Press, Rep. Taylor Greene’s office has declined to comment on her recent stock purchases or whether she acted on any non-public information. The silence has only intensified scrutiny from watchdog groups and ethics advocates, who argue that such trades erode public confidence in Congress.
The overlap between Taylor Greene’s political messaging and her personal investment strategy underscores the broader concerns around financial transparency and accountability in the legislative branch. As markets continue to fluctuate and debate over congressional stock trading persists, Taylor Greene’s actions have become a focal point in the larger conversation about ethics in governance.
