WASHINGTON — A prankster tricked Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell into a conversation about the U.S. and global economy in January based on a video clip featured on Russian state television and posted online. I was.
The footage shows Powell answering an interviewer’s questions on a video call, apparently thinking he’s talking to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The ruse was apparently carried out by pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, who are supporters of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.
The clip now circulating on the internet was previously reported by Bloomberg News. They show Mr. Powell answering questions about central banks and inflation. His comments seem to be in line with what he expresses regularly in public.
A Fed spokesperson said Mr. Powell took part in a conversation in January with someone who pretended to be the Ukrainian president, saying the conversation took place in the context of the central bank’s aid to the Ukrainian people. A spokeswoman said no sensitive or classified information was discussed.
The video appears to have been edited and the Fed said it was unable to verify its accuracy. The matter has been referred to law enforcement, the spokesperson said.
The two men who carried out the prank also deceived other world leaders, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. Angela Merkelformer Chancellor of Germany.
An ECB spokesperson said Lagarde agreed to the conversation in good faith and showed support for Ukraine and its people.
The Federal Reserve-related videos were posted on Rutube, a Russian video hosting platform, and reported by Russian state television and news agencies. Kuznetsov and Stolyarov posted excerpts of the conference call on their social media pages and dedicated a special episode of their program.
The clip shows Powell discussing the many challenges facing the U.S. economy, including rapid inflation and the possibility of a recession. In the clip, Mr. Powell acknowledges that a recession is possible, or even possible, but that he needs to cool the economy to slow inflation. This is consistent with what the Fed Chairman said in his testimony and speeches.
Fed officials are currently in a pre-meeting quiet period during which officials have avoided speaking publicly towards a rate decision. Mr. Powell will then hold a press conference.
Oleg Matznev Contributed a report from Berlin.
