President Donald Trump has once again minimized the potential impact of his tariffs on supply shortages, even if this might result in fewer toys available for American children.
During a recent press interaction aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked, “All I’m saying is that a young lady, a 10-year-old girl, 9-year-old girl, 15-year-old girl, doesn’t need 37 dolls.” He continued, suggesting that “She could be very happy with two or three or four or five.”
This is the third occasion in less than a week where the president has dismissed concerns regarding the effects of the newly imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imports, implying that Americans should adapt to having fewer possessions.
In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Trump reiterated his point, stating, “I’m just saying [Americans] don’t need to have 30 dolls, they can have three.” He further added, “They don’t need to have 250 pencils. They can have five.”
Just days prior, Trump acknowledged during a Cabinet meeting the likelihood of seeing emptier shelves in American stores due to the tariffs. However, he maintained that the burden would primarily fall on China, which is now facing a 145% tariff on its imports.
The president’s comments have faced significant backlash. Critics argue they illustrate a disconnect from the realities faced by everyday Americans. Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., shared his thoughts on CNN last week, stating, “Billionaires like Trump and [Elon] Musk do not have a clue about what it means for a working-class family trying to buy presents for the kids or to take care of the basic necessities.” He characterized such remarks as indicative of “incredible arrogance and ignorance.”
Republican strategist Karl Rove also weighed in, suggesting on Finance Newso News that Trump sounded reminiscent of “Mr. Scrooge” in discussing the consequences of reduced toy availability due to his tariffs.
Trump responded to Rove’s critique on Truth Social, asserting, “I don’t need to have Karl Rove of Finance Newso News tell me what to do.”
