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Apr 7th, 2025, 4:59 PM ET·Business

Misinformation Sparks Stock Market Frenzy as Trump Tariff Pause Claims Denied

A false headline about Trump pausing tariffs sent U.S. markets soaring briefly before crashing as White House denies the claim.


Last Update: 5:42 PM ET

Summary

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A false report claiming President Trump was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs sent U.S. stock markets surging before crashing once the White House denied the claim. Investors reacted rapidly to the unverified news shared by finance-focused accounts on X, briefly reversing a prior sell-off. An overwhelming market response was seen after a misleading mention on CNBC. As rapid corrections became necessary, the incident highlights the dangers of misinformation propagating through social media, especially with the controversial tariff policies currently in play. Financial outlets acknowledged their roles in amplifying the erroneous report, raising concerns about unverified news dissemination.

Sources (5)

Compare coverage of this story from news outlets across the political spectrum.
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  • CNN
  • The spread of unfounded rumors on social media showcases the dangers of misinformation and the irresponsible behavior of financial news outlets that reported the claims without proper verification.
  • The Trump administration's economic policies continue to create instability, with investors desperately hoping for any indication of relief amid ongoing tariff tensions. Recent events have demonstrated how the misinformation ecosystem can amplify economic fears.
  • Reforming verification processes on social media platforms is necessary to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, as evidenced by the rapid dissemination of false reports.
How actual ‘fake news’ caused the market whiplash | Business
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"…Wherever the original source of the incorrect headline came from, it was amplified by trusted sources in financial news, creating a very expensive lesson in the value of accurate and reliable reporting."

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Misinformation Sparks Stock Market Frenzy as Trump Tariff Pause Claims Denied - Pano News