Summary
Critics slammed Trump for admitting his tariffs may cause “short-term pain” for Americans, contradicting past promises that they wouldn’t raise consumer prices.
During his campaign, Trump insisted tariffs would only hurt foreign nations, not U.S. families. He also vowed to lower costs for essentials like groceries and utilities.
Now, he acknowledges economic hardship but claims it’s necessary to fix trade imbalances.
His remarks sparked backlash, with many accusing him of downplaying the financial strain his policies could impose on millions.
“Downplaying the financial strain his policies could impose” translates as “lying”. He knew perfectly well what would happen. He also knew that if he told the truth about it he was unlikely to be elected. So he lied. That pretty well describes his entire campaign.
What worries me is that Trump no longer has any reason to care what people think. He doesn’t need their votes or their support. And while people keep talking about how he wants to be loved, I don’t think that’s true. He wants to be important to people, but he can achieve that through fear and intimidation too. Which is what he’s doing now.
At this point I don’t expect any elected Republicans to stand up to him. Those who had a conscience have been driven out or have put it in storage for the duration. Sadly, our greatest hope is that the ultra-wealthy who financed this mess may turn on him and put pressure on the legislators they own to do something about it.
He WANTS to be a despot … he eagerly looks at, admires and wishes to count himself amongst worldly despots like Putin, Maduro, the Saudi kings and even the younger Kim Yong Un.
He does not aspire to be a benevolent leader at all, I don’t think he even can be one. To be important is indeed what he wants, but it is the importance in the form of keeping him happy or he’ll give you misery.
He also has done nothing but spout lies and easy grifts for decades now, and if caught he’d be as vindictive as possible to instill fear and hesitation on any who would oppose him. So, swift opposition from within his ranks is not going to happen soon.
The ultra rich might turn on him if he torches the economy, but they do know he now has the power to take away their assets if push comes to shove…