Benny Johnson Shares Fake Jerome Powell Resignation Letter—And It Backfires Fast
New Jersey — July 23, 2025: A viral moment turned into a major blunder this week after Trump-supporting influencer Benny Johnson falsely claimed that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had resigned—only to backtrack shortly after.
Johnson allegedly posted a Powell resignation letter to former President Donald Trump on X (previously Twitter). The typo-filled document with a false seal was eventually found to be fake.
“The Jerome Powell letter is fake… Sorry. Bad look,” Johnson admitted after pulling down the post.
The blunder immediately gained traction, especially among MAGA-aligned accounts, with some users like Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) resharing the fake letter before realizing it was false. Many on social media quickly criticized the influencer for spreading misinformation without verifying its authenticity
Trump’s Criticism of Powell Sparks Viral Hoax
The fake resignation post didn’t come out of nowhere. Trump has recently escalated his attacks on Jerome Powell, calling him “terrible” and accusing him of keeping interest rates too high for too long. Powell, whom Trump originally appointed in 2018, has maintained the Fed’s current monetary policy, drawing heavy criticism from the former president.
Just last week, reports surfaced that Trump was discussing the possibility of firing Powell early if he wins reelection. However, in a recent statement from the Oval Office, Trump said such a move was “highly unlikely,” adding:
“I think he’s done a bad job, but he’s going to be out pretty soon anyway… eight months, he’ll be out.”
Powell’s term officially ends in May 2026, so barring resignation or removal, he has over a year left in office.
White House Joins the Conversation
The White House is reviewing the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion restoration project in Washington, D.C. James Blair, deputy chief of staff, said administration officials will tour the facilities later this week.
This additional supervision comes as the Fed faces public scrutiny over economic policies and growing inflation and home affordability problems.
Backlash and Mockery on Social Media
The fake Powell letter quickly became a trending topic on X, with many calling out Benny Johnson for posting misinformation without even doing basic fact-checking. Political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen wrote:
“Benny Johnson shared a fake letter of Jerome Powell resigning. Now he has to beg people not to share the fake news that he introduced.”
Other users were less forgiving. Harry Sisson, another political influencer, warned followers:
“Nobody should ever listen to little Benny.”
Some users joked about sharing the post to mock Johnson’s mistake. Others wondered how a phony document got popular.
False News, Real Effects
This incident again highlights the danger of fake news and viral misinformation, especially when shared by social media stars with millions of followers. Politically charged, Johnson’s mistake sparked mockery and bewilderment.
No resignation has been announced for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Influencers and the public should fact-check before sharing after the widespread hoax.
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