Trump Calls For Major Change

President Donald Trump is calling for a dramatic shift in the way American companies report their financial results, saying the current system creates unnecessary burdens and fuels harmful short-term thinking.

On Monday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to urge the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to move away from quarterly reporting and instead require companies to report results just twice a year.

“Subject to SEC approval, companies and corporations should no longer be forced to ‘report’ on a quarterly basis, but rather to report every six months,” Trump wrote.

Trump argued that this commonsense change would save money, reduce bureaucracy, and allow executives to focus on growing their businesses instead of constantly scrambling to meet Wall Street’s short-term demands. He compared the U.S. approach unfavorably to China’s, pointing out that Chinese companies often plan decades ahead.

“China has a 50- to 100-year view on management of a company, while we run ours on a quarterly basis. Not good!” Trump said.

Why It Matters

Under current SEC rules, publicly traded companies must file detailed financial statements every three months, in addition to their annual report. Supporters of the rule say it provides transparency and builds investor confidence.

However, critics — including many business leaders — argue that quarterly reporting pushes executives to focus on immediate profits instead of sustainable, long-term strategies, ultimately harming American competitiveness.

Trump’s push for semiannual reporting reflects a growing conservative movement to reduce government red tape and empower businesses to compete globally without unnecessary interference.

Background and Next Steps

This isn’t the first time Trump has raised the issue. In 2018, during his first term, he ordered the SEC to review quarterly reporting after hearing concerns from top business leaders. While the SEC sought public feedback, no major reforms were implemented at that time.

Any change now would require formal SEC rulemaking, which involves public comments, legal review, and — likely — fierce resistance from entrenched Washington bureaucrats and corporate lobbyists.

Trump’s latest comments come as part of his broader agenda to strengthen the U.S. economy, cut wasteful regulations, and keep American companies competitive on the global stage.

For decades, Wall Street has prioritized short-term gains at the expense of long-term prosperity. Trump’s proposal is a bold step toward reversing that trend — and putting the focus back where it belongs: on American workers, innovation, and lasting economic strength.