Karoline Leavitt Shuts Down Media’s Accusations Against Trump’s Tariff Strategy With Sharp Six-Word Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt boldly countered accusations from the media alleging that President Donald Trump was bluffing on tariff negotiations, offering a sharp, six-word retort that quickly silenced critics.
“You missed the art of the deal,” Leavitt succinctly fired back during a press briefing outside the White House on Wednesday afternoon. Her comment referred directly to Trump’s famed 1987 book, “The Art of the Deal,” emphasizing that the media had fundamentally misunderstood the president’s strategic approach to tariff negotiations.
Leavitt’s pointed response followed Trump’s recent announcement of a 90-day pause on global tariffs—excluding China—just a week after unveiling sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, which initially caused turbulence in global financial markets.
While the tariffs on most countries were paused, Trump notably increased tariffs on China from 104% to 125%, showcasing a clear distinction in his approach toward Beijing. Leavitt passionately defended this strategy, asserting, “You tried to say the rest of the world would move closer to China, yet we’re witnessing exactly the opposite. The world is contacting the United States—not China—because they need our markets, our consumers, and this president’s leadership.”
She further highlighted Trump’s long-term vision, claiming that over 75% of countries affected by the tariffs have already approached the U.S. to negotiate new trade agreements, aligning with Trump’s earlier colorful assertion that these countries were “calling up, kissing my a–.”
Leavitt continued to underscore Trump’s assertiveness and strategic courage, stating that the president’s decision to “retaliate against China even higher” demonstrated a clear, calculated strategy rather than an impulsive bluff, sharply criticizing the media for failing to grasp Trump’s broader economic objectives.
Financial markets reacted positively to Trump’s strategic pause, signaling investor confidence. The S&P 500 surged 5.7%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2,000 points (5%), and the Nasdaq Composite soared by 6.8%, reflecting widespread investor relief and approval of Trump’s nuanced economic maneuvering.
Economists and investors had previously raised concerns about potential economic instability and global recession stemming from tariff disputes. However, Leavitt’s confident, six-word defense effectively positioned Trump’s tariff strategy as a sophisticated negotiation tactic rather than deceitful manipulation, significantly shifting public perception of the administration’s economic strategy.
