What it is
Lisa D. Cook is a distinguished economist and Federal Reserve Governor since May 2022, the first Black woman in that role. She holds a Ph.D. in economics from UC Berkeley and has served in academia and as an adviser under multiple presidential administrations.
Why it’s trending
President Trump and a housing regulator have publicly accused Cook of mortgage fraud—claiming she listed two properties as primary residences for loan advantage. The President has demanded her resignation, while Cook denies wrongdoing and resists being pushed out, highlighting broader tensions over the Fed’s independence.