Politics
‘Not Very Bright’: Jessica Tarlov Flamed For ‘Stupid’ Take On Trump’s Tariff Reversal
Liberal commentator Jessica Tarlov drew major backlash online Wednesday after dismissing President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariff announcement as a sign that he “caved.”
Critics on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t hold back, blasting the Fox News co-host for a “stupid” take that completely missed the strategy behind Trump’s surprise move.
“Trump caved. Carry on with your day,” Tarlov posted, responding to a post from Sam Stein that noted Trump had just paused tariffs for 90 days. What followed was a flood of ridicule from conservative users who said Tarlov either didn’t understand Trump’s strategy—or was willfully ignoring it.
Josh Barnett, a former congressional candidate in Arizona, slammed her response: “Such a stupid thing to say… truly showing everyone here how ignorant you really are lol.”
Tarlov’s comment came just hours after Trump stunned global markets by announcing a two-pronged trade maneuver: a 90-day tariff pause for over 75 allied nations, and a massive tariff hike on China—raising rates to a staggering 125%. The move sent U.S. stocks soaring and put Beijing in a defensive position as it scrambled to respond.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He added that other nations had earned a reprieve by working with the U.S. in “good faith.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the decision, calling it “one of the most extraordinary Truth posts of his Presidency.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed it up, stating, “This was his strategy all along… Trump goaded China into a bad position.”
Conservatives on X echoed the sentiment, torching Tarlov for suggesting Trump had backed down.
“You’re wrong,” replied one user bluntly. Another added, “This makes you sound so hilariously petty. 
This isn’t a cave at all. It’s perfect strategy.”
You’re wrong.
— MOMof DataRepublican (@data_republican) April 9, 2025
This makes you sound so hilariously petty.
— Chicks On The Right (@chicksonright) April 9, 2025
“Anything Trump ever does—no matter how innovative or successful—is like a Rorschach test for you clowns,” one user added. “And every time you reveal so, so much about yourselves.”
Anything Trump ever does – not matter how innovative or successful – is like a Rorschach test for you clowns.
And every time you reveal so, so much about yourselves.
— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) April 9, 2025
Even parody accounts joined in. “He is literally raising their tariffs,” posted an account impersonating Elon Musk. Another user mockingly asked, “Jessica, do you want America to fail? Be honest.”
He is literally raising their tarrifs
— Elon Musk (Parody) (@ElonMuskAOC) April 9, 2025
The financial impact was immediate. The Dow Jones jumped more than 600 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also posted strong gains. Analysts noted that the 10% baseline tariff Trump introduced for non-adversarial nations could become a new global standard.
As Trump’s 2025 heats up, the tariff move is being viewed as both a foreign policy hammer and a domestic win—something critics like Tarlov may struggle to spin as a loss.
