What happens when President Trump’s bold moves clash with Wall Street’s unyielding nature? Spoiler: Wall Street usually comes out on top.

Sure, plenty of folks in finance back Trump. Remember the roaring applause he got last year at the Economic Club of New York? But here’s the thing—traders don’t let personal feelings or politics guide their decisions. If they sense trouble ahead and decide Trump’s policies are bad news for stocks and bonds, they won’t hesitate to sell. That could send stock prices tumbling and interest rates soaring.

For Trump, who keeps a close eye on the markets, that’s a problem. But it’s worse for the country. Higher interest rates mean pricier borrowing, which could balloon the federal deficit even further.

In a way, Wall Street might be one of the few forces strong enough to rein in Trump. He’s reshaped the Republican Party, sidelined Democrats, and influenced everything from the courts to corporations. But financial markets? They play by their own rules.

History shows this isn’t just theory. In 2011, Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi stepped down as prime minister after a debt crisis rattled investors. More recently, Britain’s Liz Truss lasted just 44 days in office when her tax-cut plans sent the pound into freefall.

That said, the U.S. economy is in much better shape than Italy or Britain were during those crises. The dollar is strong, and there’s no immediate sign of investor panic. But if things shift, Wall Street’s reaction could be the ultimate check on Trump’s power.