Trump stock market focus grows as he rings NYSE and Nasdaq opening bells from the Oval Office

President Donald Trump marked the opening of trading on Monday. President Donald Trump rang the first bells for the New York Stock Exchange. President Donald Trump also rang the opening bells for the Nasdaq. President Donald Trump did this from the Oval Office. The gesture underlined how President Donald Trump linked the presidency with stock prices.

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The Oval Office event promoted the start of Trump Accounts. The accounts were designed for children to invest in stock indexes. Republicans included the plan in a 2025 tax and spending cuts bill. President Donald Trump said markets would rise after starting trading. "Its going to go up - I think the markets going to go through the roof,\" said Trump.

Trump Accounts and stock market focus

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said many people did not invest in shares. Scott Bessent argued this limited who gained from stock rises. Scott Bessent said benefits often went to wealthier homes. Other gains remained locked for decades in retirement plans. Scott Bessent spoke before the bell ceremony. \"38% of American families do not have any exposure to our great equity markets.\"

A June survey showed weak support for President Donald Trump on the economy. The poll came from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. It found 33% of US adults approved of President Donald Trump's economic leadership. The bell ringing highlighted a political risk for Republicans. Stock gains did not reach many voters directly.

Inflation pressures and S&P 500 stock index performance

The S&P 500 rose 17.9% in 2025. The index followed strong returns in earlier years. It returned 25% in 2024 and 26.3% in 2023. Those gains came during Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency. The benchmark index has climbed roughly 10% so far this year.

Inflation has also shaped views of President Donald Trump’s leadership. President Donald Trump won the 2024 election after promising lower costs. Tariffs and the start of the war in Iran added fresh price pressures. The consumer price index rose 4.2% over 12 months. It was 3% when President Donald Trump began the second term in January 2025.

President Donald Trump suggested broader share ownership could aid future generations. President Donald Trump pointed to government support for the accounts. President Donald Trump also noted backing from some companies and billionaires. President Donald Trump joked about the delayed launch. \"We should have acted faster,\" Trump said. The administration continued to present the plan as a way to widen economic participation.

With inputs from PTI