Capitol Gains: How Congress Plays the Market and the People

Madeliene White: “You know, there’s a famous saying by the Baron de Rothschild, ‘When there’s blood in the streets, buy property.’” Inside Man

These days, the new Congressional version is, “When there’s panic in the markets, grow your portfolio.” And, if you’re lucky — or powerful — you just might know exactly when to pounce.

Let’s start with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who recently played the markets like a woman with a crystal ball — or a very well-timed newsletter. In the wake of Trump’s proposed tariffs, which sent certain stocks tumbling, Greene’s team scooped up shares in companies like Amazon, Dell, RH, and Lululemon — some of which had dropped 40% before she jumped in. After the policy reversal? RH rebounded 33%. Dell gained 9% AP News. Not bad for a week’s work.

Now, Greene claims her trades are handled by a fiduciary. Fine. Let’s give her that. But you don’t need to be a conspiracy theorist to squint a little at the timing. Tariff threats here, a “great time to buy” Truth Social post there, and suddenly we’re not talking about economic policy — we’re talking about market manipulation with a side of insider trading.

And it’s not just Greene.

A Bipartisan Problem of “Perfect Timing”

Look, I try to be even-handed. Accountability isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a democratic one. So let’s talk about the former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Over the years, her trades — often executed by her husband, Paul Pelosi — have routinely outperformed the market. In 2021, for example, Paul Pelosi made millions on call options in companies like Alphabet, Apple, and Nvidia, sometimes just before key policy announcements or committee decisions that could affect those sectors (The New York Times).

Is that illegal? Apparently not. But our ethical spidey senses should be on high alert in response to Greene’s sudden interest in buying consumer tech after Trump paused some tariffs. The uncomfortable truth: If the rules allow Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Pelosi to profit from political chaos, then the rules are the problem.

Grifting in the Halls of Congress

Here’s the grift:

• April 2, 2025: Trump teases sweeping tariffs.
• April 9, 2025: Trump reverses course and posts on Truth Social that it’s a “great time to buy.”
• Same day: The markets soar. The Nasdaq jumps 1.65%. Consumer-facing stocks rebound. Greene’s new investments look suspiciously prescient (WSJ).

Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego have since called for an investigation into what might be insider trading — or worse, a calculated effort to manipulate the market for political and personal gain (The Times UK).

And let’s not forget Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who took it upon himself to hype Tesla stock on live TV, proclaiming, “It will never be this cheap again” (Business Insider). If that doesn’t violate federal ethics rules, then those rules are as effective as a screen door on a submarine.

Time to Rewrite the Rules

Representative Seth Magaziner and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are now calling for all Members of Congress to publicly disclose their financial trades from April 2 to April 9 (House.gov). That’s a start — but not nearly enough.

Because this isn’t just about corruption; it’s about design. The current rules permit public officials to invest in companies whose fortunes rise and fall with the very policies they shape. This isn’t about who’s red or blue but who gets to play by a different set of rules.

Ban Individual Stock Trading for Elected Officials. Period.

We need a hard firewall between personal wealth and public power. Here’s what real reform looks like:

• Ban individual stock trading by all Members of Congress and their immediate families.
• Require assets to be placed in blind trusts.
• Demand real-time, public disclosure of financial activity for all government officials.
• Extend these rules to Cabinet members and top advisors. No more “suggesting” investments from the White House press room.

If Congress can regulate everything from TikTok to toaster safety, surely they can regulate themselves.

Let the People Profit — Not Just the Powerful

Whether Marjorie Taylor Greene is buying the dip or Nancy Pelosi is selling before the peak doesn’t matter; if elected to serve the public, your financial strategy shouldn’t be boosted by insider dealing in the White House or your congressional committee assignment.

And if there’s going to be blood in the streets, the American people shouldn’t have to bleed for your bottom line.

What the People Can Do

It’s time to close Wall Street’s backdoor to the halls of Congress.

Lawmakers should work for the people, not play the people, so join the growing call for real reform:

✅ Tell your representatives: Ban individual stock trading for all Members of Congress and their families. Demand blind trusts and real-time disclosures.

✅ Support legislation like the STOCK Act 2.0 and the Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Trading Act. These bills are on the table — but they won’t move unless you put the pressure on your reps.

✅ Spread the word: Share this post. Start conversations. Use your voice to amplify this one simple truth: Public servants should not profit from the policies they control.

Ending the grift in Congress and the White House isn’t about left or right. It’s about right and wrong.

Because the only thing more dangerous than insider trading is a system that pretends it’s business as usual.