Deep Dive: A Brief History of the Federal Reserve (And the Threat It Faces Today)

2026-01-17

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The Federal Reserve is one of the most powerful institutions in America, yet most people don’t fully understand how it works or why it matters.In this weekend deep dive, Zaid breaks down why the Fed was created, how it evolved into the backbone of the U.S. financial system, and the critical role it has played during the Great Depression, World War II, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.The episode also dives into the escalating clash between President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, w...

The Federal Reserve is one of the most powerful institutions in America, yet most people don’t fully understand how it works or why it matters.

In this weekend deep dive, Zaid breaks down why the Fed was created, how it evolved into the backbone of the U.S. financial system, and the critical role it has played during the Great Depression, World War II, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The episode also dives into the escalating clash between President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, why Trump wants lower interest rates, and why the Fed’s independence is now facing one of its biggest tests in decades.

From bank runs and inflation to political pressure and market credibility, this episode explains why the future of the Fed could shape the future of the economy.

If you enjoyed this episode, check out my interview with finance journalist and author of the bestseller book 1929, Andrew Ross Sorkin. Watch here.

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