(DCNF)—It’s hard to believe that a few years ago Time Magazine considered naming Federal Reserve Board chairman Jerome Powell as their Man of the Year. He may well have won, if it hadn’t been for someone named Taylor Swift.
Powell has been idolized by the left for one reason: he’s been a thorn in the side of Donald Trump for years. If Trump says “ying” Powell says “yang.”
Last week Powell finally lowered the federal funds rate and better late than never. But his speech to the media was a tirade against Trumponomics. He was filled with doom and gloom in his statement telling global investors that the economy is growing at only 1.6% so far this year and 1.6% next year.
What country was he talking about? Afghanistan?
Here are the facts: In the second quarter of this year, the U.S. economy grew by 3.3%, and with a few weeks to go in the third quarter, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is forecasting 3% growth – twice Powell’s cracked crystal ball.
Powell also never mentioned that real household incomes are up $1,100 for the first seven months of 2025. He never mentioned that capital investment – the seed corn of a growing economy has been ramped up with hundreds of billions pledged next year.
He attacks Trump’s tariffs and more restrictive immigration policies as restricting growth – and he has a point that those have slightly slowed growth. But he never mentions the Trump tax cut, the immediate expensing for capital purchases (which has spurred an investment boom), the deregulations that could save up to $1 trillion this year, or that Trump’s pro-energy policies have increased U.S. production of oil and gas to record highs, or that the area where job growth is way down is in government employment – which is GOOD for the economy.
There’s also something almost comical about a Fed chair who let inflation soar by 21% during Biden’s four years in office – the highest rates in nearly 40 years dating back to Jimmy Carter’s stagflation. He promised inflation was “transitory” – oops. Tell that to people whose grocery bills rose by one-third in four years.
He accommodated the disastrous lockdowns of the economy with nary a word of objection by shoveling trillions of dollars into the economy in 2020 and 2021. The result: Americans saw a three-year crash in their after-inflation incomes. It was right and proper that Americans chased Biden and Harris out the door, but here we are nine months later, and Powell is still around.
Powell is attacked by Trump as “too late Jerome.” But the reality is he’s “too wrong Powell.” His job, as former World Bank president David Malpass notes, should be “to defend the dollar and keep it stable in value.” Steve Forbes adds that Powell has followed the wrongheaded creed of the 300 Ph.D. economists over at the Fed’s temple that growth causes inflation.
He has a bully pulpit that can and should be used to attack the dangerous levels of government debt and deficit spending. He rarely does.
Powell’s defenders counter any criticism of the Fed by reflexively arguing that the central bank should be independent. Yes.
But it should also be competent and accountable. Under Powell’s reign of error, the central bank has been neither. He makes up monetary policy as he goes along and that has increased the instability of the U.S. economy and financial markets.
He has been a walking billboard for a rules-based monetary policy – perhaps a gold or commodity standard.
Powell should admit he’s in over his head and exit stage left now before he does more harm. But he lives in a media-created delusion that he’s the last line of defense against Trump. The good news is at least he will be gone in seven months. Hopefully the next Fed chairman will learn from his series of blunders.
Stephen Moore is a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a former Trump economic advisor. His latest book is “The Trump Economic Miracle.”
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.