US stocks were mixed Thursday as President Donald Trump touted trade deal progress with Europe and China and investors digested a threat from the president to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

The Sidebar panel discusses if it is actually possible for President Donald Trump to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell.

The media company majority owned by President Donald Trump, Trump Media & Technology Group , said on Thursday it had asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate a recent short position in its stocks.

Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, wants the SEC to investigate a hedge fund that is shorting its stock for "potential manipulation." Qube Research & Technologies disclosed a net short position in Trump Media earlier this week,

To: Mark Uyeda, Acting Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission From: Trump Media & Technology Group Date: April 17, 2025 Subject: Potential Illegal Naked Short Selling and Market Manipulation of DJT Stock CC: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA);