Episode Summary:

In this episode of Explaining History, Nick turns his attention to the economic chaos brewing in Washington. With Donald Trump threatening a criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, we explore the dangerous politicization of America’s central bank.

Why is the independence of the Fed so crucial to the global financial system? What happens when a president tries to bully interest rates down to win an election? Nick argues that Trump’s erratic behavior, combined with the weaponization of the dollar, is accelerating the process of "de-dollarization"—an existential threat to American power far greater than any tariff war.

From the exorbitant privilege of the dollar to the looming debt crisis, we unpack the mechanics of imperial decline. Is Trump about to crash the only thing keeping the US military machine afloat?

Plus: A reminder for history students—tickets are now available for our Russian Revolution Masterclass on January 26th!

Key Topics:

• The War on the Fed: Trump’s attempt to seize control of monetary policy.
• De-Dollarization: Why global investors are losing faith in the greenback.
• Imperial Overstretch: How the dollar funds America's global military footprint.
• Stalinist Paranoia: Comparing Trump’s use of the FBI to historical purges.

Listen to this episode advert free on Patreon here

Also, you can sign up for the Explaining History Russian Revolution Masterclass here

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