Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has become the latest target of President Donald Trump’s attacks as he continues to challenge the leadership of the Federal Reserve under Jerome Powell. Cook, the first African American woman and first woman of color to serve on the Fed Board, is now facing accusations and pressure to resign—allegations that she denies and calls politically motivated.
According to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, this is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing pattern in Trump’s behavior. Wolff said that during his years closely observing Trump’s campaign, one consistent theme was the president’s hostility toward Black women in positions of power. He described how Trump has often grouped prominent Black female officials—such as Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Atlanta prosecutor Fani Willis, and Judge Tanya Chutkan—into the same category, using derogatory and racist language about them behind closed doors.
Trump has already threatened to fire Cook if she does not resign, following accusations from Trump-appointed Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, who claimed Cook falsified bank documents to get favorable loan terms. Cook has rejected these claims, saying she is gathering information to address any legitimate questions but refuses to step down because of politically driven attacks.
This pattern of behavior mirrors Trump’s past actions against other Black women in positions of authority. He has repeatedly tried to undermine Letitia James, who led a civil fraud case against him that resulted in a \$500 million penalty before being overturned on appeal. He also celebrated when Fani Willis was removed from a case involving his alleged election interference in Georgia.
Michael Wolff described Trump’s focus on these women as not only racist but pathological—an obsession he returned to regularly during his campaign and presidency. Staffers reportedly told Wolff that Trump frequently fixated on this narrative, framing these women as part of a conspiracy against him.
The White House has dismissed Wolff’s claims as false, with Communications Director Steven Cheung attacking the author personally and accusing him of fabricating stories. Still, Trump’s repeated and public attacks on Black female officials, coupled with his threats of removal and attempts to discredit them, point to a broader pattern of using race and gender as tools in his political battles while consolidating power during his second term.
