
Trump Wants Lower Rates. So Why Aren’t They Falling?
Why are mortgage rates still so high in 2026, even as President Trump pushes for lower interest rates? That’s the question a lot of buyers, homeowners, investors, and real estate professionals are asking right now. In this week’s The Brief , Kenny Simpson breaks down what’s actually keeping mortgage rates elevated and why the answer goes far beyond who is sitting in the White House. We cover: • Why Trump wants interest rates lower • Why presidents don't directly control mortgage rates • How the Iran conflict is affecting markets and inflation expectations • The impact of tariffs on rates • What the latest jobs and consumer numbers are telling us • Why slowing wage growth matters for inflation • What Kevin Warsh and Scott Bessent can actually do • Why mortgage rates could have room to fall • What needs to happen before we see meaningful rate relief Kenny’s view is that the underlying economic picture isn't particularly strong: the jobs market is struggling, the consumer is slowing, GDP is lukewarm, and inflation has not risen as much as feared. But continued uncertainty surrounding Iran is making it harder for markets and policymakers to move toward lower rates. There is some good news. Kenny explains that the spread between the 10-year Treasury and 30-year fixed mortgage rate has narrowed significantly. In his view, without that improvement, mortgage rates could currently be substantially higher. So when will mortgage rates finally come down? Watch the full episode for Kenny’s take on what needs to happen next.







