Market Mondays Ep. 292: Trump Targets Powell, Top Stock to Buy, Must-Have Investments, and Is Netflix & Apple in Trouble?

Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts: Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, Ian Dunlap
Network: Earn Your Leisure (EYL)

Episode Overview

This episode of Market Mondays dives into the intersection of politics and markets with the Trump administration’s unprecedented move to investigate Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve. The hosts dissect what this means for the autonomy of the Fed, market stability, and investment strategies for 2026. They lay out their top stock picks, analyze Netflix and Apple’s evolving challenges, debate must-have investments, and even take a look at international and comeback stocks. The conversation balances practical stock tips, deep macroeconomic insight, and spirited debate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Justice Department Targets Fed Chair Powell

(04:46 – 17:30)

• Unprecedented Investigation:
  Trump’s Justice Department is investigating Jerome Powell for refusing to lower interest rates; Powell received notice on Friday and says he won’t back down.
• Historical Consequences:
  “It is dangerous waters when the Fed loses its autonomy and becomes political. … Something that needs to be monitored.” – Rashad (05:49)
• Short & Long-Term Market Impact:
  • Despite three rate cuts in 2025, Trump reportedly wanted even more.
  • Markets haven’t reacted with expected volatility—no big crashes yet, but the long-term risk is “massive.”
• Precedent for Institutional Independence:
  • This move could deter future Fed chairs, shifting the seat to someone more compliant with presidential demands.
  • “Being punitive towards the chair because he didn’t do what you wanted is a grand mistake.” – Ian (07:10)
• Project 2025 & Consolidation of Power:
  • Links Trump’s moves to policy ambitions to consolidate power, undermining traditionally independent institutions (13:14).
  • “Everyone’s quiet... they’re almost following it line by line.” – Ian (13:56)
  • The group agrees the market will likely see turbulence in the second half of 2026 as a result.

2. Top Stock for 2026: Why Google Beats Apple

(20:38 – 26:09; 90:52 – 91:19)

• If You Could Only Hold One Stock:
  • Ian: "Google is everything I wish Apple would be" (20:38). Cites Google’s relentless AI innovation and leadership under Sergey Brin.
  • “Ever since I had my initial criticism of them 18 months ago, [Google has been] putting up ‘35, 15 and 10 in every front’ on software and AI.” – Ian (21:40)
• Turnaround Driven by Leadership:
  • Sergey Brin returned when Google was falling behind, leading to Gemini’s rapid success.
  • “He was at home, watching how the company was unraveling, and decided, ‘You know what? I need to go back’.” – Troy (22:25)
  • Other tech giants’ founders (Bezos, Musk) returning to operational focus marks a new era of hands-on innovation.
• Entry Price:
  • Ian’s suggested buy: “A good entry for Google would be $297.89” (90:56)

3. Netflix & The Streaming Wars: Upside or Overvalued?

(28:18 – 44:47; 38:02 – 39:46)

• Netflix Post-Split & Warner Bros Acquisition Woes:
  • Split caused volatility; Warner deal seen as "too expensive but had to be done" (43:00).
  • “Sometimes we can under-appreciate when the stock is doing incredibly well. … Netflix is the gold standard when it comes to media.” – Ian (29:14)
• Threat from YouTube & New Media:
  • "The real battle is new media vs. old media." – Ian (31:00)
  • If YouTube (Google) leans into premium movie content, “Netflix would be in trouble.” – Troy (32:14)
• High Cost, Thin Margins:
  • “If you’re paying this much for [Warner], how do you get a 5x return... people aren’t gonna want to pay $70 per month.” – Ian (43:00)
  • Netflix rated a “B” (38:35) and Ian would only buy closer to $777.73.
• Earnings Watch:
  • “January 20th, Netflix will be reporting its Q4 earnings. This is a big quarter for them.” – Troy (39:46)

4. Best Performing Dow Companies for 2026

(44:47 – 49:26)

• Ian’s Picks: Visa, Walmart (“not just retail; running tight like Amazon, with better margins”), Amgen (healthcare).
  • “Amgen has just been on a tear. Another great company with leadership, quiet, focuses on making the products better.” (45:52)
• Troy’s Adds: JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs (financials), Caterpillar ("Caterpillar is a hell of a stock and this AI revolution just helps that even more.” – Ian, 48:21)

5. AI Era Software Winners—and Who’s Vulnerable

(50:24 – 57:42)

• Winners:
  • SAP (enterprise software), Intuit (AI indestructible), Microsoft (“think of them as the company that is going to eat up software companies by incorporating AI.” – Troy, 51:48), ServiceNow (workflow automation).
• Who’s at Risk:
  • “Companies like Duolingo, Adobe, or Salesforce may be negatively impacted by AI.” – Ian (50:32)
• Debate: Google vs. Apple for AI Stack
  • Google seen as executing faster.
    • “Tim Cook spent too much time fighting with Zuckerberg and Elon, took his eye off the ball.” – Ian (25:20)
  • Rashad makes the case for Apple’s vertical integration, but Ian is frustrated by Apple’s missed AI opportunities.

6. Is Apple Underperforming in AI? And Should Tim Cook Stay?

(57:43 – 63:41)

• “Tim Cook, I can’t wait for you to retire. … You’re at the start line, and everyone else has run laps.” – Ian (57:27)
• Apple’s services revenue still growing, products still being bought.
• Troy: “We haven’t seen innovation inside the iPhone in probably seven or eight years.”
• Consensus: Apple’s valuation is stable but their AI innovation lags; succession planning is reportedly under way “for a new CEO by Jan 2027.”

7. Investing Philosophy Updates & “Changed My Mind” Beliefs

(64:01 – 70:18)

• Ian: Now open to some sub-$25 stocks as short-term trades during a Trump administration: “Some sub-25 stocks we should look at... for a 400-500% return” (64:07)
• Troy: “Disney will NOT take the #1 or perhaps even the #2 spot in streaming. It should’ve stuck to licensing.” (65:12)
• Rashad: Shift from “invest in what you know” to “invest in companies the world needs.” E.g., Apple, Nvidia, Eli Lilly make the world function; Nike is nice but not essential.

8. Beaten Down Stocks: Which Could Come Back?

(71:35 – 76:25)

• Group 1: Salesforce, Adobe, Target, PayPal
  • Salesforce most likely to rebound (“because of Mark Benioff”)
  • “I don’t want to draft any of these...” – Ian (72:10)
• Group 2: UnitedHealth, Chipotle, Novo Nordisk, Lululemon, Duolingo
  • UnitedHealth or Chipotle likeliest, but this batch is “whole roster trash.” – Ian (75:02)

9. Data Centers, Nuclear Energy & AI Infrastructure

(76:25 – 80:38)

• Meta’s Nuclear Data Center Deal:
  • Energy is “the story” of 2026—see Meta’s nuclear power deal in Oklahoma with Vistra (77:32)
  • “If we don’t have power, all the AI talk is done.”
• Collaboration as Sign of Moat:
  • Nvidia’s $1B partnership with Eli Lilly (“this will help Lily develop drugs faster, keep an edge… you love to see companies in your portfolio collaborating together.” 79:43)

10. International Stocks to Watch

(81:43 – 83:01)

• Ian & Troy’s List: TSMC (Taiwan Semi), Mercado Libre (Latin America fintech), ASML (Dutch chip machinery), SAP (German enterprise software), Alibaba (China, especially to benefit as Nvidia chip exports resume to China).

11. Tesla and SpaceX IPO—Will Both Win?

(83:11 – 85:54)

• Tesla’s future after SpaceX IPO
  • “Tesla stopped being a car company; it’s a tech and autonomy company.”
  • SpaceX IPO could make Elon Musk a trillionaire (“for sure” – Ian, 84:43)

12. Community Learning & Option Trading Exercises

(86:08 – 90:56)

• Troy challenged EYL University members to analyze how to handle lucrative, deep-in-the-money Nvidia call options—exercise vs. sell, diversification, and long-term wealth-building strategies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump/Powell Conflict:
  “A warlord, you let out a drug warlord.” – Ian (09:10)
• On the consolidation of power:
  “I think it’s either you’re negligent about it or complicit with it... Is it surprising? I don’t feel like it’s surprising.” – Troy (14:13)
• On Google:
  “Google is everything I wish Apple would be.” – Ian (20:38)
• On Netflix’s future:
  “Netflix is the gold standard when it comes to media.” – Ian (29:14)
• On AI & Apple’s missed chances:
  “Tim Cook spent too much time fighting with Zuckerberg and Elon... now everybody’s eating your lunch.” – Ian (25:20)
• On the importance of investing where the world has need:
  “Invest in the companies that you think the world needs. … You could love a bad company, for sure.” – Rashad (69:05)

Useful Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump vs. Powell/Project 2025: 04:46 – 17:30
• Top Stock to Hold in 2026: 20:38 – 26:09; (Buy price at 90:56)
• Netflix, Warner Bros, Streaming Wars: 28:18 – 44:47
• Best Dow Stocks for 2026: 44:47 – 49:26
• AI/Winners & Laggards, Google vs. Apple: 50:24 – 63:41
• Investment Philosophy Changes: 64:01 – 70:18
• Comeback Stocks – Gut Check: 71:35 – 76:25
• AI Infrastructure & Nuclear Power: 76:25 – 80:38
• International Stocks: 81:43 – 83:01
• Tesla & SpaceX Questions: 83:11 – 86:01
• Community Learning & Option Trading: 86:08 – 90:56
• Buy Price for Google: 90:56

Tone & Style

True to Market Mondays, the discussion is lively, unapologetically candid, and blends practical advice with informed speculation. Host banter weaves in humor (“Would you pick a demon as a spiritual advisor over having a warlord”—Ian on UnitedHealth, 75:54), while delivering serious education for listeners.

For Listeners

This episode covers a turbulent macro landscape, shining a spotlight on both the pressures facing traditional institutions and the opportunities for investors to capitalize on innovation and leadership shifts. The group provides actionable picks and strategic frameworks applicable for both new and seasoned investors in an era marked by volatility and technological change.