New York, NY — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday, signaling a bold start to his incoming administration’s focus on economic growth. Addressing a cheering crowd of traders and business leaders, Trump vowed to unleash an economic boom through sweeping policy changes, including tax cuts and incentives for domestic manufacturing.
Standing beside him on the iconic NYSE platform were Vice President-elect JD Vance, incoming First Lady Melania Trump, NYSE President Lynn Martin, and two of his daughters, Ivanka and Tiffany Trump. The ceremony was attended by a notable group of industry leaders, including David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, Verizon’s Hans Vestberg, Target’s Brian Cornell, and Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman.
The crowd on the trading floor erupted into chants of “U-S-A” as Trump addressed them briefly before the opening bell.
Promises of a Thriving Economy
“We’re going to give tremendous incentive like no other country has,” Trump declared. He promised significant tax cuts and reiterated his pledge to slash the corporate tax rate to 15% for companies that manufacture their products within the United States.
“You pay 21% if you don’t build here,” Trump explained in a post-ceremony interview with press. “If you do, we’re going to try and get it to 15%, but you have to build your product, make your product in the USA.”
The President-elect also outlined plans to bolster U.S. oil drilling, stating that increased domestic production would help combat inflation and lower energy costs.
A Vision for Growth
Trump’s remarks centered on revitalizing American industry and creating jobs through pro-business policies. “We’re going to usher in an economy the likes of which nobody’s ever seen before,” he said confidently.
The ceremony marked Trump’s return to the NYSE’s spotlight after years of business dealings and a term as president that prioritized deregulation and corporate tax reform. His promises were well-received by the crowd of influential business figures, many of whom have expressed optimism about his incoming administration’s economic agenda.
The Road Ahead
As Trump prepares to take office, his economic policies are expected to face scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. While his proposed tax cuts and incentives have drawn praise from the business community, critics argue they could increase the federal deficit and exacerbate wealth inequality.
For now, the energy and optimism on the NYSE trading floor reflected the high expectations surrounding Trump’s economic vision. As the opening bell chimed, it signaled not just the start of the trading day but a bold statement of intent from the President-elect and his administration.
