Television Host Condemns President's Response to Widespread Tariff Opposition
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell launched a scathing critique of President Donald Trump during his Tuesday broadcast of "The Last Word," focusing on the president's response to overwhelming public opposition to his international tariff policies. O'Donnell highlighted that nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of the trade measures that have contributed to rising consumer prices.
The television commentator pointed to recent polling data showing 65% of U.S. adults oppose Trump's tariffs, a significant increase from earlier surveys conducted in August. O'Donnell expressed outrage at Trump's reaction to this majority disapproval, noting the president took to his Truth Social platform to call tariff opponents "fools" with an exclamation point.
Contradictory Policy Responses Draw Criticism
O'Donnell emphasized the apparent contradiction in Trump's approach to his own trade policy. "Sixty-five percent of the country knows that Donald Trump's tariffs are causing inflation," he stated during his monologue. "Sixty-five percent know that the Trump tariffs are economically hurting them. And Donald Trump calls them 'fools' — and then says he wants to send them all a check for $2,000 to compensate for the economic harm that his tariffs have caused those people."
The host referenced a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos survey conducted between October 24-28 that confirmed the growing public discontent with Trump's trade strategy. This represents a notable increase from the 61% disapproval rate recorded in a Pew Research Center poll from August, indicating strengthening opposition as the economic consequences become more apparent.
Even conservative voices have raised objections to the tariff approach, with O'Donnell quoting The Wall Street Journal's editorial board questioning the logic behind the policy. "If tariffs are a free economic lunch, and their benefits abound, why offer a rebate?" the publication asked in their Sunday edition.
Legal Challenges and Fact-Checking Claims
The controversy extends beyond public opinion to legal authority questions. U.S. Supreme Court justices recently expressed skepticism about whether Trump possesses the constitutional power to impose these tariffs without congressional approval. The president has invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify the measures, but legal experts question this application.
Trump appeared concerned about potential legal setbacks on social media Tuesday, as a ruling in the case is expected early next year. He warned that reversing the tariffs would "not be possible" and would cost $3 trillion, a claim O'Donnell immediately fact-checked during his broadcast.
"That is a complete lie," O'Donnell countered. "Only $195 billion has been collected in Trump tariffs and all of that could easily be refunded. The IRS refunds that much every year in overpaid income taxes... and it's just as easy as the refund that the Treasury sends to millions and millions of taxpayers every year."
The tariff policy has created significant economic uncertainty since its announcement in April, when Trump imposed a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods, with even higher levies on select countries. The specific implementation has fluctuated since the initial announcement, which sent financial markets into upheaval and sparked fears of a potential global recession.
O'Donnell concluded his commentary by criticizing what he called Trump's "inconsistent, incoherent, ignorant" approach to tariffs and expressed concern that the president's daily "madness" has distracted media from properly addressing the insult directed at the majority of Americans.
