Politics

‘I’m Not On The Left’: Jake Tapper Visibly Flustered After Trump Official Suggests He’s On The Democrats’ Side

Published

3 weeks ago

April 7, 2025

CNN anchor Jake Tapper appeared rattled during a heated exchange Sunday with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who challenged the network’s framing of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff strategy—calling out what she sees as left-leaning criticism of the administration’s economic agenda.

“You’ve got two days of data. Everyone, especially on your side on the left, is freaking out,” Rollins said, referring to backlash over Trump’s newly declared “Liberation Day” tariffs.

“I’m not on the left,” Tapper snapped back.

“But at the end of the day, listen, this whole concept… All right, Jake, thank you,” Rollins chuckled.

WATCH:

The moment aired live as the CNN host pressed Rollins on whether the White House intends to make Trump’s controversial tariffs permanent or if they’re open to negotiating. Rollins has been a longtime Trump ally and architect of his America First policies.

“This whole concept is about rebuilding an American economy around American goods,” Rollins explained.

The clash comes as Trump’s administration ramps up trade tensions globally. On April 2, Trump declared “Liberation Day,” slapping a blanket 10% tariff on all imports—with higher rates for around 60 countries the administration accuses of exploiting U.S. markets. China was hit hardest, facing a new 34% tariff on top of existing levies.

The fallout was immediate. On Sunday, Trump threatened to pile on an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports unless Beijing withdraws its retaliatory tariffs by Tuesday, potentially bringing the total rate to 104% on some goods. That threat sent markets into a tailspin, with the Dow down nearly 1% and the S&P 500 briefly dipping into bear market territory.

Despite the financial uncertainty, Rollins defended the strategy, framing it as long overdue.

In the interview, Rollins described Trump’s tariffs as the launch of a “new American order, the new American economic plan,” noting that only two days of economic data have been released so far. “So I think we’ll see in short order a really positive outcome from this.”

“We already have 50, five- zero, 50 countries that have come to the table over the last few days, over the last weeks, that are willing and desperate to talk to us. We are the economic engine of the world, and it’s finally time that someone, President Trump, stood up for America,” she said.

Rollins said foreign leaders are “burning” up the phones trying to reach both Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, calling Trump “the ultimate dealmaker who is a businessman at the head of our government.” She said that tariffs were a central part of Trump’s campaign message and that he was elected to carry out that agenda.

“Right now, we’re two business days into this new American order, so I think we have a lot to be determined, but the president is resolute in his focus and his boldness, in his fearlessness and in his relentlessness to ensure that we’re putting America first by using these tariffs — along with deregulation, cutting taxes, energy dominance, it’s an entire package, but right now, obviously the tariffs are front and center.”

While market volatility continues to dominate headlines, Trump’s inner circle appears unfazed—confident that economic pain is temporary and leverage will eventually bring foreign powers to heel.