Shares of Fannie Mae rose 42.4% and Freddie Mac jumped 41.1% on Thursday after President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering taking the mortgage giants public. In a Truth Social post, Trump described Fannie and Freddie as “very profitable” and said the timing “seems right” for privatization. According to Benzinga, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under federal control since 2008 and support nearly half of the U.S. housing market by turning purchased mortgages into securities. Trump’s comments coincided with turmoil at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where Director Pulte removed Freddie Mac’s CEO and 14 board members from both institutions. Pulte also named himself chairman of both entities, signaling a move toward stronger federal control ahead of possible privatization.
