President Donald Trump said the U.S. should have the “lowest interest rates in the world” and argued that rate cuts would significantly reduce federal borrowing costs during an interview Tuesday on FOX Business’ “Kudlow.”

“This country should have the lowest interest rates in the world,” Trump told host Larry Kudlow. “We keep the world going.”

Trump tied interest rates to government interest expenses, saying that changes of a few points could significantly alter federal finances.

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“Every point is $600 billion,” Trump said. “All he has to do if we went down two points, we don’t have a deficit anymore,” he claimed.

Market milestone

Trump also pointed to recent market milestones as evidence of economic strength, telling Kudlow he remembers predictions that the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching 50,000 would be considered a “miracle” by the end of a presidential term.

“I remember when I first won, they said if he gets the Dow up to 50,000 by the end of his fourth year, he will have done miracles,” Trump said. “And we’re at the end of the first year.”

Trump added, “We’ve had a very good run, and we want to keep it going.”

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Trump credited falling energy prices for easing costs, telling Kudlow he recently saw gas prices as low as $1.85 in Iowa and saying prices in other parts of the country had “broken $2 a gallon.”

“And that’s like a major tax cut,” Trump said.

In the interview, Trump pushed back on the idea that strong growth should automatically prompt tighter monetary policy, arguing that markets and policymakers react negatively to inflation concerns.

“We’re old enough to remember when the stock market, when there was good news, the market went up and was bad news, the market went down,” Trump said. “That’s the way it should be.”

Trump suggested that dynamic has shifted, claiming markets can fall on positive economic news because of inflation fears and expectations about rates.

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“They have the yips,” Trump said, comparing the reaction to golfers who “can’t sink a three-foot putt” when they hear the word inflation. “Well, growth doesn’t mean inflation.”

“We have to go back to the old system when we have good news, the market should go up, and we have bad news, the market should go down,” Trump said, adding, “We’ll take care of inflation as it comes.”

Warsh nomination

Trump praised Kevin Warsh, his nominee connected to the Federal Reserve, in the interview’s discussion of monetary policy, saying Warsh would be influential.

“I think he’s somebody that’s going to be a real influencer,” Trump said. “I think he agrees with what I’m saying.”

Trump argued the U.S. has historically maintained comparatively low borrowing costs.

“Let’s go back again. Another 20, 25 years. We were always the lowest interest rate,” Trump said. “We used to pay like almost nothing.”

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He then contrasted that with today, claiming, “Now we’re like number 38 because we have had stupid people running our country.”

Switzerland tariffs

Trump illustrated his view by recounting a dispute with Switzerland, which he said benefited from low tariffs and trade imbalances with the United States.

“We had an incident with a very nice country, Switzerland,” Trump said. “They were paying no tariffs, sending stuff over here like nobody could believe. And we had a $42 billion deficit and we weren’t taking anything.”

“I said, ‘You may be a small country, but we have a $42 billion deficit with you,’” he added.

Trump said he initially imposed a 30% tariff on Swiss imports before later raising it to 39% following pushback from Swiss officials.

The U.S. later agreed to lower tariffs on certain Swiss goods to 15% from 39% under a trade framework announced last year, Reuters reported.

In a wide-ranging exchange with Kudlow, Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, arguing rates should be lower.

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“He’s so bad that, I mean, interest rates should have been cut. We should be two points lower,” Trump said.

Kudlow closed the interview by thanking the president for his time.

With markets moving at lightning speed, flooded with updates, alerts, finfluencers, and chatter, Warren Buffett’s famous observation feels like a timely and much-needed reminder. His words highlight a simple yet powerful truth about investing: Success often depends less on how frequently you trade and more on how long you can stick to a well-thought-out strategy.

Today, every market move is tracked, earnings reports reviewed, and geopolitical events quickly connected to potential market impact. The temptation to react—to buy, sell, or reshuffle portfolios at the first sign of volatility—is ever-present. Yet Buffett’s message reminds investors to cut through the noise and focus on the long game.

When investing is driven by short-term swings, emotions often take over. Fear can prompt premature selling, while excitement or FOMO during rallies may lead to chasing overpriced stocks. Over time, such behavior erodes returns and increases transaction costs, taxes, and stress, all of which undermine long-term wealth creation.

Patience, on the other hand, lets compounding work its magic. Strong businesses rarely grow in a straight line — earnings and competitive advantages build over years, not weeks, and market leadership evolves gradually, not overnight.

Investors who remain patient give quality companies with strong fundamentals the time to execute, expand market share, and enhance profitability. This long-term mindset often distinguishes consistently successful investors from those who struggle.

Buffett’s quote also underscores the psychological advantage patience provides. Markets reward those who stay calm amid uncertainty. Whether facing an economic slowdown, interest rate changes, political developments, or sudden market corrections, patient investors focus on fundamentals rather than reacting to every headline.
In the present day and age, Buffett’s words are a timely reminder that investing is not a sprint. The ability to wait, stay disciplined, and trust a well-thought-out strategy often separates average outcomes from exceptional results. Patience is not about doing nothing, it is a deliberate choice that fuels long-term financial success.

Cheltenham and Gloucester councils announced the preferred bidder last year and were targeting January for sale completion

Concerns are mounting the disposal of Gloucestershire Airport is “dragging on and on” following a missed January completion target. Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council are currently selling the jointly-owned aerodrome in Staverton.

Their chosen bidder is Horizon Aero Group, and council leaders had established a January deadline to finalise the transaction. However, February has arrived and the disposal remains incomplete.

Council leaders revealed in July last year their intended buyer for the 375-acre facility.

Yet finalisation of the sale, which was agreed at a figure exceeding the £25m guide price, has encountered setbacks and conjecture has emerged that the agreement may be experiencing difficulties.

Both authorities released a joint statement a fortnight ago confirming they are in the concluding phases of fulfilling the legal obligations for the proposed disposal.

Nevertheless, Labour councillor Terry Pullen (Moreland) is amongst those expressing unease about the hold-ups.

He said: “I’m seriously worried as the sale of Gloucestershire Airport is dragging on and on.

“In September I was told by the Leader of the Council that it would be sold by Christmas but that never happened. At the beginning of January, I was assured that the sale would be completed by the end of the month, but now that deadline has passed too.

“I am beginning to wonder if the sale of the airport will ever be completed as deadline after deadline passes and the airport remains unsold.”

He said he will request an update at this week’s cabinet meeting and “will be interested to see what excuses” he receives this time.

“The council is currently asking the government for a bailout of £15.5 million and I understand that funds from the airport sale will be needed to go towards paying off that debt,” he added.

“As far as I am aware there is no plan B for the airport and if it isn’t sold no one seems to know what will happen next. I will be interested to see what the council leader has to say about that.”

On January 28, both councils issued a joint statement saying that the sale of an airport is an “extremely complex undertaking and naturally takes time”. They confirmed all parties are working towards completion of the sale.

“We are now in a position to move toward completing the deal, and we anticipate bringing the process to a conclusion shortly,” they said.

“Communication with the Horizon Group remains constructive and will be crucial as all parties continue to work collaboratively towards the completion of the sale.”

A spokesperson for both councils informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week that this remains their stance and they will provide further updates when suitable.

Multiple airlines on Monday suspended flights to Cuba following warnings that the island is running low on jet fuel in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariff threats on oil shipments to the communist country.

At least three Canadian carriers, including the country’s largest airline, Air Canada, said aviation fuel is expected to be unavailable for commercial use at airports starting this week.

Other Canadian airlines, including low-cost carrier WestJet and leisure airline Air Transat, also canceled flights due to anticipated fuel shortages.

Cuban authorities issued a notice Sunday stating that aviation fuel will be unavailable at the country’s airports for one month, until March 11 at the earliest, as the Trump administration steps up economic pressure on the island nation’s third-party oil suppliers.

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On Monday, all three carriers issued similar notices canceling departures and announcing plans to operate repatriation flights over the coming days to retrieve customers currently in Cuba. 

“Effective today it is suspending its service to Cuba due to an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island,” Air Canada said. “Over the following days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at their destination and return them home.”

While WestJet said it will ensure its flights carry sufficient fuel to “safely depart without reliance on local fuel availability,” Air Canada said its repatriation flights will arrive empty and make technical stops as necessary to refuel on the journey back.

Air Transat added that it will suspend flights to Cuba through April 30, and refund customers whose trips that have not yet begun.

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Multiple U.S. airlines told FOX Business that American operations to the island will continue without major disruptions.

Southwest and Delta Air Lines noted that the air carriers are currently operating one flight per day to and from Havana. 

“Due to the current status of aviation fuel in Cuba, Southwest Airlines is requiring aircraft that fly to Havana to carry enough fuel to also fly to their next destination,” the air carrier said. “The airline currently operates one flight daily to Havana. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”

Delta confirmed that its scheduled daily roundtrip between Miami and Havana remains unaffected by the fuel shortage, as the short route can be operated without carrying excessive fuel.

The island’s notice of a fuel shortage comes just two days after Cuban officials reportedly said air travel would not be immediately affected by the country’s fuel rationing plan announced over the weekend.

According to Cuban media outlet Grito de Baire, Cuba’s Minister of Transportation Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila said international airports is operating without difficulty. 

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Reuters added that the Cuban Aviation Corporation published a statement Monday morning saying: 

“We continue working tirelessly to ensure the safety, fluidity, and order of the airspace, supporting airline operations and ensuring that aviation in Cuba maintains the levels of reliability that characterize us.” 

Last month, Trump intensified economic pressure on Cuba by declaring a national emergency via an executive order in which he accused the country’s communist regime of aligning with hostile foreign powers and terrorist groups while moving to punish countries that supply it with oil.

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The Jan. 29 executive order, which called the Cuban government “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the U.S. and aims to protect American national security, has effectively crippled Cuba’s energy infrastructure by prompting major foreign partners, such as Venezuela and Mexico, to halt shipments to the island.

“The United States has zero tolerance for the depredations of the communist Cuban regime,” Trump said in the order, adding that the administration will act to hold the regime accountable while supporting the Cuban people’s aspirations for a free and democratic society.

FOX Business reached out to the White House and American Airlines for more information.

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Reuters contributed to this report.

The vehicle manufacturer had said it was backing away from plans to make large EVs, citing lacklustre demand and recent regulatory changes under Trump. The business case for leaning heavily into EV production, specifically large-sized EV models, has “eroded”, the company had said.

Steve Pantalemon is a Southern California–based entrepreneur, real estate investor, and media business owner. His career has been built through steady growth, hands-on work, and a long-term view of value creation.

Born in New York and raised in Orange County, Steve grew up with older sisters who shaped his early outlook. He credits that experience with developing a strong sense of empathy and responsibility, qualities that later influenced both his leadership style and philanthropic priorities.

Steve attended Esperanza High School before earning two bachelor’s degrees from California State University, Long Beach, in Marketing and Business. He later completed one year of MBA coursework at Pepperdine University. His education gave him a practical understanding of how businesses operate and how stories are communicated.

His professional career centres on residential real estate investment. Steve has acquired, remodelled, and managed a portfolio of 13 homes, using a mix of short-term and long-term rental strategies. He is closely involved in property evaluation, renovation decisions, and ongoing management. He believes real estate rewards discipline and patience over speed.

Alongside real estate, Steve is the owner of P5 Video Production. The company focuses on video storytelling, branding, and content creation. For Steve, media is another form of structured problem-solving, where clarity and purpose matter.

Philanthropy is a constant thread in his work. Through personal giving and the P5 Group foundation, Steve supports organisations including Laura’s House, Children in Toyland, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and sober living initiatives. His career reflects a balance of business leadership, creative thinking, and community responsibility.

An Interview with Steve Pantalemon on Business, Real Estate, and Building Value

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. How did your early life shape your career mindset?

I was born in New York but raised in Southern California. Growing up with older sisters had a big impact on me. You learn empathy early. You pay attention to how people are affected by decisions. That carries into business whether you plan for it or not.

Q: You studied both marketing and business. Why that combination?

I liked understanding both sides. Marketing is about how ideas are communicated. Business is about how decisions hold up over time. I saw early on that you need both. One without the other usually falls apart.

Q: What drew you into residential real estate?

Real estate felt tangible. You can see the asset. You can improve it. You can manage it directly. I started focusing on acquiring, remodelling, and holding properties rather than chasing quick turnover.

Q: You now manage a portfolio of 13 homes. What did that process teach you?

Patience. Every property has its own challenges. Renovations never go exactly as planned. Tenants have different needs. Over time, you learn that consistency matters more than speed.

Q: How do you approach decision-making in real estate?

I try to stay close to the details. Location, layout, long-term use. I do not rush decisions. Real estate punishes impatience.

Q: Alongside real estate, you run P5 Video Production. How did that come about?

I’ve always been interested in storytelling. Video allows you to communicate clearly if it’s done well. P5 lets me work creatively while still applying business discipline.

Q: Do you see similarities between media and property investment?

More than people think. Both require structure. Both fail when you cut corners. And both work best when the goal is long-term value, not attention.

Q: What does leadership mean to you today?

Being involved. Not disappearing behind a title. I like to understand what’s happening on the ground. That keeps decisions honest.

Q: Philanthropy plays a visible role in your life. Why is that important?

Because success means very little if it only benefits you. Supporting organisations like Laura’s House or sober living programmes affects families and communities. That matters.

Q: How do you define progress in your career now?

Stability. Impact. Building things that last. I’m less interested in noise and more interested in results that hold up over time.

A spokesman for the Co-op told the BBC: “Our culture, as a co-operative, ensured decision-making throughout has listened to views from leaders and colleagues across our food and wider business, whilst simultaneously acknowledging when a wide range of views are expressed, not everybody will always agree with the final decisions and actions taken.”