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Economy
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty Images

Trump warns of a 1929-style Great Depression if court rules against tariffs — says ‘no way’ America can recover from such ‘tragedy.’ Are you ready?

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It’s not every day the sitting president warns of a looming economic disaster in his own country — but that’s exactly what U.S. President Donald Trump just did.

And he says it all comes down to tariffs.

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“If a Radical Left Court ruled against us at this late date, in an attempt to bring down or disturb the largest amount of money, wealth creation and influence the U.S.A. has ever seen, it would be impossible to ever recover, or pay back, these massive sums of money and honor. It would be 1929 all over again, a GREAT DEPRESSION!” Trump wrote in a recent post on Truth Social.

The warning comes as a federal appeals court hears arguments on the legality of his tariff policy. Trump added that if the court were to rule against him, “they should have done so LONG AGO,” claiming, “there is no way America could recover from such a judicial tragedy.”

He also credited tariffs for the U.S. stock market’s recent performance. “Tariffs are having a huge positive impact on the Stock Market. Almost every day, new records are set,” he wrote.

It’s true stocks have been on a tear, with the S&P 500 recently hitting fresh highs. But back in April — when Trump first unveiled his sweeping tariffs — markets plunged. They only began to rebound after he softened his stance and scaled back some measures.

Many experts disagree with Trump’s view that striking down tariffs would be an economic blow. Even economist Peter Schiff, who backed Trump in the 2024 election, argues the tariffs are hurting Americans, not foreign countries.

“The media is helping Trump deceive the public by reporting that he's hitting other countries with tariffs. In reality, he's hitting American consumers who buy imports from those countries with tariffs,” Schiff said in a recent post on X. “We are being taxed, and our freedom to choose what we buy is being abridged.”

Others see a court ruling against tariffs as a potential boost.

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“If courts shoot down the tariffs, it would be complicated — but a huge positive. There would be a massive celebration,” Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth Management, told CNN.

While the outcome of the court battle remains uncertain, Trump’s stark warning underscores a broader concern: how quickly political and geopolitical events can rattle markets. For investors, it’s a reminder that safeguarding wealth often means turning to assets that can hold their value in times of turmoil — from global trade tensions to the threat of a severe economic downturn.

A safe haven shines again

When uncertainty looms, gold has a way of reclaiming the spotlight.

Long seen as the ultimate safe haven, gold isn’t tied to any single country, currency or economy. It can’t be created at will by central banks like fiat money, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in — driving up its value.

Over the past 12 months, the price of gold has surged more than 35%.

Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold’s importance in a resilient portfolio.

“People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” Dalio told CNBC earlier this year. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

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A gold IRA is one option for building up your retirement fund with an inflation-hedging asset.

Opening a gold IRA with the help of Goldco allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical forms while also providing the significant tax advantages of an IRA.

With a minimum purchase of $10,000, Goldco offers free shipping and access to a library of retirement resources. Plus, the company will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver.

If you’re curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download your free gold and silver information guide today.

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The asset that made Trump rich

If gold is the common go-to hedge for moments of chaos, real estate is the long game — and no one knows that better than Trump himself.

Before politics, Trump made his fortune in real estate — and the asset class remains a powerful tool for building and preserving wealth, especially during inflationary times. That’s because property values and rental income tend to rise along with the cost of living.

Unlike some other investments, real estate doesn’t need a roaring stock market to deliver returns. Even during downturns, high-quality properties can generate rental income — offering a dependable stream of passive cash flow.

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As Trump told Steve Forbes back in 2011, “I just notice that when you have that right piece of property, whatever it might be, including location, it tends to work well in good times and in bad times.”

Today, you don’t need to buy a property outright to benefit from real estate investing. First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, where the tenant covers property expenses such as property taxes and insurance, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about such costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Another option is crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, that offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

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Jing Pan Investment Reporter

Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.

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