
Dow Jones Falls as Trump Takes Tough Stance on Iran; RFK Jr. Cracks Down on Big Pharma
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by 130 points (-0.31%) on Tuesday as rising geopolitical risks and healthcare-related developments weighed on investor sentiment. The S&P 500 dropped 0.44%, while the Nasdaq fell 0.50%. Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets Markets reacted negatively after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a quick ceasefire proposal between Israel and Iran. Instead, Trump doubled down on his demand for Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, even calling for the evacuation of Tehran. The tough rhetoric spooked investors, increasing fears of a prolonged military conflict. In response, oil prices jumped 3%, driven by fears of supply disruptions. Israel has already targeted Iranian oil infrastructure, and traders worry that Iran could retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil shipments. “A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could tighten oil supply, spike energy costs, and pressure the global economy,” said market analysts. Could the Fed Cut Rates? Some economists believe that continued geopolitical instability might prompt the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates earlier than expected. While short-term oil shocks are usually seen as temporary, a sustained rise in energy prices could harm both employment and growth, forcing the Fed to act. RFK Jr. Targets Big Pharma and Food Industry Meanwhile, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is turning up the heat on the pharmaceutical and food industries. The Trump administration is reportedly planning tighter regulations on drug advertising, which could impact the nearly $10 billion pharma ad industry. RFK Jr. is pushing for longer, more transparent disclosures in commercials, which could raise costs and reduce ad airtime. These moves are part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, which includes crackdowns on ultra-processed foods. The effort is already seeing impact — food giant Kraft Heinz has pledged to remove artificial food coloring from major products like Kool-Aid and Jell-O by 2027. Key Takeaways: