CNBC’s Rick Santelli brought theatrics to the trading floor Wednesday morning, breaking out an umbrella and a custom “DOW 50K” hat to celebrate what he described as the strength of President Donald Trump’s economy following a better-than-expected jobs report.
“Nobody’s gonna rain on my parade!” Santelli shouted on-air, holding an umbrella over his head in a playful nod to critics who have questioned the market’s staying power.
Moments later, he donned a white hat emblazoned with “DOW 50K,” marking the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s recent climb to 50,000 for the first time ever — a milestone that Trump himself quickly celebrated.
“REMEMBER, TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” the president posted on Truth Social after the Dow reached the historic mark last week.
Santelli made clear he had been anticipating the moment. “50K — I made this hat two months ago, and the reason I made it is for exactly a day like today,” he said. He added that critics who doubted the market’s trajectory have been proven wrong. “All these naysayers steeped in politics continue to be wrong. That’s okay. Because 50K says you’ve all been wrong!”
The spirited segment drew smiles from his colleagues, who appeared amused by Santelli’s props and celebratory tone.
The upbeat mood followed the release of the latest jobs report, which exceeded analyst expectations. According to the Labor Department, employers added 130,000 jobs in January. Economists polled by LSEG had forecast roughly 70,000 new jobs, making the figure a notable upside surprise.
The unemployment rate came in at 4.3 percent, slightly below the 4.4 percent economists had projected.
Fox Business reported on the stronger-than-expected numbers, which added fresh momentum to a stock market that has already been on a tear.
Santelli urged skeptics to reconsider their stance as markets continue to surge. “You keep from going in the water even though it’s very hot outside,” he said, suggesting that some investors are holding back despite favorable conditions.
“I say all the investment gurus out there, jump in the markets in the U.S., because global GDP is gonna take a big ramp up, and the U.S. is leading the way!” Santelli added.
The Dow’s 50,000 milestone and the January jobs data together provided a one-two punch for those pointing to strong economic performance under Trump. While some critics have cautioned against over-optimism, Santelli’s on-air celebration reflected a view that the numbers speak for themselves.
The veteran market commentator framed the moment as validation for those who believed in the market’s resilience — and a rebuke to those he characterized as politically motivated doubters.
With job growth surpassing expectations and unemployment ticking slightly lower, Santelli’s message was clear: the market is roaring, and he believes the rally has room to run.
Whether investors heed his advice remains to be seen, but for at least one morning on CNBC, there was no mistaking the celebratory mood as Santelli declared that nothing — not even the critics — could rain on his parade.
[READ MORE: U.S. Adds 130,000 Jobs in January, Beating Expectations as Unemployment Falls to 4.3%]
