Earn Your Leisure Podcast
Episode: Is the STOCK MARKET Being Manipulated?
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Date: March 30, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the hot-button topic: Is the stock market being manipulated? The hosts, joined by a guest market analyst, analyze recent dramatic movements in the stock market, examine evidence of potential manipulation, and discuss how political and institutional actions may be impacting market integrity. The conversation blends deep trading insights with wider financial and political implications, offering practical advice for traders and investors navigating a volatile market.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Unprecedented Volatility in Gold and Private Credit Markets
- Gold Bear Market: Gold is down 22% from its all-time high.
"Gold is officially into the bear market. It's down 22% from its all-time high this month."
— Market Analyst [02:23] - Private Credit Concerns: Apollo has capped withdrawals for retail investors; major banks now offer select clients ways to short private credit.
"Three weeks ago I came on and told you guys that there was a bubble in private credit..."
— Market Analyst [02:40] - Implications: Only ultra-wealthy clients can access some of these strategies, reinforcing a "worst kept secret on Wall Street" about froth in private credit.
2. Large, Suspicious Trades in S&P Futures
- A $1.5 billion move on S&P futures, $192 million short, occurred suddenly.
- Experienced traders and even novices have started noticing, indicating unusual activity:
"In all the time I’ve been trading futures... I’ve never seen such blatant market manipulation."
— Market Analyst [03:31]
3. Market Manipulation: Coordinated or Political?
- The market appears "rigged to stay up," but current moves are described as unusually blatant:
"The market is rigged to stay up. But I’ve never seen a cohort or an administration be so blatant with the movement..."
— Market Analyst [03:45] - Political motivations, such as keeping oil prices stable around elections, are questioned.
"Look how they're rigging [the oil market]... so you don’t get shellacked in the midterms." — Market Analyst [04:12]
- The hosts draw parallels: if they advocated certain actions live, it would trigger regulatory attention, yet incumbent institutions act openly.
4. Institutional vs. Administration Strategies
- Institutional moves (large short positions) indicate significant divergence from government messaging:
"When we talk administration and we talk institutional, it always felt like there was some alignment. This tells me... it’s completely divergent."
— Market Analyst [05:41-05:53] - This divide may signal an unstable market future, especially with geopolitical factors influencing both sides.
5. Example of “Quiet Witching” and Reversals
- The recent "quiet witching" Friday followed historic patterns: the market normally ends negative, big institutions short during London session, then U.S. cronies buy in to prop up prices:
"60 to 80% of the time since 2016... the market normally ends negative because you can’t roll over those contracts..."
— Market Analyst [05:55] - The overnight upswings are likened to a star player achieving impossible scores before the game starts—a sign of manufactured moves:
"80 to 90 points in an S&P future is absolutely amazing. 200 before the mark. It’s the equivalent… Luca had 50 when the game started. This normally doesn’t happen..."
— Market Analyst [06:24]
6. Insider Knowledge & the Information Advantage
- Notable patterns: huge trades often hit the market minutes before major policy announcements.
"Every time that he makes an announcement, there’s a huge trade that’s placed a few minutes before — tariffs, war in Iran..."
— Market Analyst [07:25] - The conclusion: certain players act on privileged information, the public is left a step behind.
"Some people have access to information...and they’re making sure financial gains based off of information that the public is not privy to. But what can you do?"
— Market Analyst [07:55]
7. Advice for Traders & Investors
- Take advantage of volatility while it lasts:
"For my traders, take advantage of this market while you have it. Because when he’s out of office, to be honest, these kind of swings will not be there."
— Market Analyst [06:57] - The market will not always feature such clear "tells," so act thoughtfully — and keep listening to the show for insights.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Open Manipulation:
"I've never seen such blatant market manipulation. ...We are in an era and the market has always been manipulated. Let's be clear."
— Market Analyst [03:31-03:38] -
Political Interference Allegation:
"If we did this… and told everyone to get in, we would have some phone calls to answer the next day."
— Market Analyst [04:40] -
On Institutional Divergence:
"When we talk administration and we talk institutional… this tells me…it’s completely divergent." — Market Analyst [05:41-05:53]
-
Market Volatility as an Opportunity:
"You might as well take advantage of it. It’s definitely market manipulation. Allegedly. Allegedly, maybe."
— Market Analyst [07:13] -
Reality of Information Asymmetry:
"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out that some people have access to information… and they’re making sure financial gains based off of information that the public is not privy to."
— Market Analyst [07:41-07:55]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:23] Gold and private credit market updates
- [03:25] Discussion of abnormal S&P futures trades
- [03:31-03:45] Allegations of market manipulation and political interference
- [05:41-05:53] Institutional vs. administration divergence
- [05:55-06:24] Quiet witching effects and engineered reversals
- [06:57] Advice to traders on current market environment
- [07:13-07:55] Insider knowledge and information advantage
Takeaways
- The market is experiencing historic swings possibly driven by manipulation at the highest levels, with institutions and government insiders making coordinated (or divergent) moves.
- Privileged access to information is being used for profit, leaving regular investors to react rather than anticipate.
- The hosts encourage listeners to remain vigilant, informed, and to take advantage of volatility while it persists — but to do so with caution and clarity.