Eyes roll as 'gaslighting' Trump accused of uncorking new ‘market manipulation’ ploy

Critics let out a collective sigh Tuesday following reports that a “possible deal” to restart U.S.-Iran peace talks was being circulated between Washington and Tehran, a report that led one progressive activist to allege the news to be just the latest example of President Donald Trump’s “market manipulation.”

Trump has repeatedly claimed productive talks with Iran over ending the war, statements that have sent oil prices and stock indexes swinging within minutes – only for Iranian officials to deny any negotiations took place. Critics, including Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have accused Trump of using pre-market announcements as a "setup for profit-taking," with some alleging the pattern benefits Trump's inner circle through well-timed trades tied to the war's on-and-off escalation.

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that a “potential agreement to revive talks” between the United States and Iran had been drafted and circulated between both parties. Now nearly six months into the on-again, off-again conflict, Melanie D’Arrigo – activist and former Democratic congressional candidate – argued that the timing of the report was suspect.

“Reported right before the U.S. markets open,” D’Arrigo wrote Tuesday in a social media post on X. “The market manipulation will continue until Trump is held accountable for it.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) also expressed frustration in response to the report, and revealed he would be addressing Trump’s “gaslighting” on the conflict on the Senate floor this week.

“A ‘possible’ deal to start talking about a ‘possible’ deal,” Murphy wrote Tuesday in a social media post on X. “Trump has been gaslighting us all along about the state of Iran negotiations. I will be on the Senate floor to talk about this later in the week.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared to corroborate Bloomberg’s reporting Tuesday morning after telling CNBC that a deal could be reached “today or tomorrow.” Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the progressive media organization MeidasTouch, sarcastically quipped in response: “Today or tomorrow, everyone.”