Today, President Trump tweeted out that he was “looking forward” to meeting with the Bush family in the wake of former president George H.W. Bush’s death. The sentiment rang false given the longstanding animosity between Trump and the Bushs and seems like it was something his staff convinced him he should do to appear presidential rather than something he authentically cares about.
Looking forward to being with the wonderful Bush family at Blair House today. The former First Lady will be coming over to the White House this morning to be given a tour of the Christmas decorations by Melania. The elegance & precision of the last two days have been remarkable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
It didn’t take long for Trump to undermine his own conciliatory tweet by pivoting to unleash a ridiculous tweetstorm about Sino-American relations. He brought up his recent meeting with authoritarian Chinese president Xi Jinping and bragged about their negotiations even though no substantive details have yet emerged.
Trump made promises about concessions China will be making, although once again he failed to provide any real details or proof, which means he could very well be making things up out of thin air without actual agreements from the Chinese. Given his long history of bloviation and fabrication, it seems likely that nothing was actually accomplished at the meeting.
The negotiations with China have already started. Unless extended, they will end 90 days from the date of our wonderful and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina. Bob Lighthizer will be working closely with Steve Mnuchin, Larry Kudlow, Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
……on seeing whether or not a REAL deal with China is actually possible. If it is, we will get it done. China is supposed to start buying Agricultural product and more immediately. President Xi and I want this deal to happen, and it probably will. But if not remember,……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
Trump then brought up his disastrous tariffs, lying per usual by pretending that tariffs are enriching the United States at the cost of other countries. In reality, tariffs are just a tax on American consumers. Companies raise prices to counterbalance the tariff and maintain their margins, and the increases are passed along to the people purchasing the products.
Historically, tariffs fail to achieve their goals and do nothing but cause economic hardship. The trade war between China and the United States caused entirely by Trump has already devastated numerous American industries. If they aren’t repealed soon, more companies will go belly up.
….I am a Tariff Man. When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so. It will always be the best way to max out our economic power. We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs. MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
…..But if a fair deal is able to be made with China, one that does all of the many things we know must be finally done, I will happily sign. Let the negotiations begin. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
Trump’s claim that he is a “Tariff Man,” in which he capitalized both words for some reason, is perhaps the standout line from the laughable series of tweets. The incredibly stupid moniker has already begun to spread across Twitter, with both liberal and conservative users mocking what is quickly becoming a new nickname for our incompetent leader.
Once again, America finds itself the laughingstock of the world because of the buffoon currently squatting in the Oval Office.
https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1069971171498737664
Ladies, if he
– Talks about himself constantly
– Wanders away in the middle of conversations
– Obsesses about trade but doesn't seem to understand it at all
– Makes a fool of himself at the G-20He's not your man. He's Tariff Man.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) December 4, 2018
Local Tariff Man Still Doesn't Appear To Understand Foreign Countries Don't Pay His Tariffs, Americans Do pic.twitter.com/4SFvd94JgD
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) December 4, 2018
Huff and puff all you want, Tariff Man, but tariffs are a tax paid by domestic consumers. https://t.co/vpJZbYgyPG
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) December 4, 2018
“They” and “Them” Don’t pay the tariff, man. US consumers do. https://t.co/AOFIaisQrq
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) December 4, 2018
Tariff Man would be the world’s least successful superhero, with a long record of carnage and stupidity behind him https://t.co/nX1qFKJMpw
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 4, 2018
