Major Controversies Surrounding Jim Cramer: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jim Cramer.

Jim Cramer is an American television personality, author, entertainer, and former hedge fund manager, best known as the host of CNBC's "Mad Money." After graduating from Harvard, he worked at Goldman Sachs and later founded his own hedge fund, Cramer Berkowitz. He also co-founded TheStreet.com. Cramer's career transitioned into media, where he gained prominence for his energetic and often controversial commentary on the stock market and investment strategies. He has written several books providing investment advice.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1999: Recommended Investing in Technology Stocks

In January 2000, Jim Cramer recommended investing in technology stocks and suggested a repeat of the stock performance of 1999.

January 2000: Recommended Investing in Technology Stocks

In January 2000, Jim Cramer recommended investing in technology stocks and suggested a repeat of the stock performance of 1999.

February 2000: Recommended Specific Stocks

In February 2000, Jim Cramer recommended specific stocks like 724 Solutions, Ariba, and others, dismissing traditional investing strategies.

2000: Settled Lawsuit with Fox News Channel

In 2000, Jim Cramer and TheStreet settled a lawsuit with Fox News Channel, which involved claims of Cramer reneging on a deal and counter-suits related to promoting TheStreet stock.

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December 2006: Hedge fund manipulation of stock prices

In December 2006, Jim Cramer described activities used by hedge fund managers to manipulate stock prices, including pushing stocks higher or lower with as little as $5 million and encouraging others to do the same as a quick way to make money.

December 2006: Stewart confronts Cramer on short-selling

In December 2006, Jon Stewart confronted Jim Cramer on The Daily Show about Cramer's contradictory statements regarding short-selling, highlighting Cramer's earlier encouragement of hedge funds to engage in it, and suggested changes to Cramer's CNBC role.

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December 22, 2006: Cramer discusses spreading rumors to drive down stock prices

In a video clip from December 22, 2006, Jim Cramer discussed the spreading of false rumors to drive down stock prices and encouraged short-selling by hedge funds as a means to generate returns, stating he would encourage anyone in a hedge fund to do it.

August 20, 2007: Barron's Article on Performance

On August 20, 2007, an article in Barron's criticized Jim Cramer for his stock picks not beating the market over the past two years.

March 11, 2008: Cramer's "Mad Money" Bear Stearns statement

On March 11, 2008, on "Mad Money", Jim Cramer told a viewer not to worry about Bear Stearns' liquidity and not to move money from there, suggesting it was more likely to be taken over.

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March 17, 2008: Cramer clarifies Bear Stearns comments

On March 17, 2008, Cramer clarified that his statements about Bear Stearns were regarding account liquidity, not the stock itself, and that he was not recommending the stock, addressing concerns about account holder's liquidity in a Bear Stearns brokerage account.

August 8, 2008: Recommended Investing in Bank Stocks

On August 8, 2008, Jim Cramer recommended investing in bank stocks before the climax of the 2008 financial crisis.

September 19, 2008: Cramer blames Federal Reserve for housing bubble

On September 19, 2008, on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Jim Cramer blamed the Federal Reserve for the United States housing bubble.

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October 6, 2008: Suggested Investors Remove Money from Stock Market

On October 6, 2008, with the S&P 500 Index at 1,056, Jim Cramer advised investors to take money needed for the next five years out of the stock market.

February 9, 2009: Article on Trading Against Cramer's Recommendations

On February 9, 2009, The Wall Street Journal published an article stating that trading against Jim Cramer's Buy recommendations had historically yielded 25% in a month.

March 2, 2009: Cramer criticizes President Obama's agenda

On March 2, 2009, Jim Cramer stated that President Barack Obama was pursuing a "radical agenda" that was causing the "greatest wealth destruction" he had ever witnessed by a president. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded by questioning Cramer's statements.

March 5, 2009: Cramer responds to White House criticism

On March 5, 2009, Jim Cramer responded to criticism from the White House regarding his comments on President Obama's economic policies, citing the stock market decline since the inauguration and concerns about the budget plan.

March 8, 2009: Cramer responds to Frank Rich's charges

On March 8, 2009, Jim Cramer responded to charges made by The New York Times columnist Frank Rich, stating that he did not understand how President Obama planned to implement tax increases, cap-and-trade limitations, and healthcare system changes during a recession.

March 12, 2009: Cramer admits mistakes on Bear Stearns calls

On March 12, 2009, during a conflict with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, Jim Cramer admitted he had made mistakes regarding his calls on Bear Stearns.

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March 2009: Interviewed on The Daily Show

In March 2009, Jim Cramer was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.

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2009: Cramer's feud with Nouriel Roubini begins

In 2009, Jim Cramer criticized Nouriel Roubini, calling him "intoxicated" with his own "prescience", to which Roubini responded by calling Cramer a "buffoon".

September 15, 2020: Cramer calls Nancy Pelosi "Crazy Nancy"

On September 15, 2020, during a TV interview with U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Jim Cramer addressed her as "Crazy Nancy", a phrase also used by President Donald Trump, and later apologized for it.