S&P 500 Index
Long

Trump’s Triumph or Tragedy?

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The S&P 500 recently faced a sharp decline, with many rushing to blame renewed trade war tensions under President Trump's second term. But is this downturn truly a political reaction — or was it already baked into the market’s DNA?

A deeper dive using Elliott Wave Theory suggests something far more structural: the recent fall is part of a broader wave pattern, and the real crash hasn’t even begun.

A Look Back: How the Market Reacted to Tariffs in Trump's First Term


During Trump’s first presidency:


First Tariff Hike caused an 11.77% drop


Second Tariff Hike led to an 8.35% decline


China’s reaction triggered a 20% fall

Despite this turbulence, the market rebounded sharply, climbing 44% post-trade war — forming a textbook Wave 5 extension.
This historical context is crucial: event-based declines often align with technical wave structures, not random panic.

Why the Market Fell Now (and Not Earlier)

Trump’s second term victory wasn’t unexpected. Neither was his return to tariff-heavy policies.

So why didn’t the market react earlier?

📉 Because this isn’t about Tariffs. It’s about Wave 4.

The current market downturn coincides with the natural Wave 4 correction of a multi-decade Elliott Wave cycle. This phase is often sharp and emotional — yet incomplete. The final Wave 5 rally is still ahead, possibly pushing the index to new highs above 7,000.

The Calm Before the Storm: What Comes After Wave 5

Following the euphoric rally of Wave 5, the market is expected to face a massive correction — Wave II — projected to be as severe as the 2008-09 financial crisis, if not worse.

Potential triggers:


Overleveraged markets


Global debt bubbles


Geopolitical instability


Inflation shockwaves


AI and tech overvaluation

Conclusion: Trump’s Triumph or Tragedy?
This wave analysis raises the question: will Trump’s second term be remembered for a market rally or a devastating crash?

The answer may be both.

✅ Short-term triumph via Wave 5
⚠️ Long-term tragedy via Wave II

The smart investor will ride the wave — but also prepare for the fall.

Key Takeaways:


Current decline = Wave 4, not the final crash


Wave 5 (upside) may still take S&P to new highs


Post-Wave 5 = Major correction, possibly like 2008


Trump’s tariffs are catalysts, but not the root cause


Technical patterns > political events in long-term moves


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