MAGA Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is doing damage control after Donald Trump’s latest outburst revealed more than his team would like to admit. Over the weekend, Trump posted on Truth Social demanding that Walmart “EAT THE TARIFFS” and not pass on costs to customers — a clear admission that tariffs do raise consumer prices.
But that directly contradicts what Trump and his economic team have been claiming for years — that Americans don’t pay for tariffs. During a recent press briefing, a reporter pressed Leavitt on this contradiction.
“President Trump and his top economic aides have repeatedly said that Americans will not pay the cost of tariffs,” the reporter said. “In fact, last week Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed that idea as a ‘silly argument.’ But now the president is saying Walmart should ‘eat the tariffs and not charge the valued customer anything.’ So does he acknowledge that, if companies don’t absorb the cost, Americans will have to?”
Leavitt’s response was typical deflection:
“Well, the Walmart CEO made those comments during an earnings call, where CEOs are legally required to give worst-case scenarios to shareholders,” she said, brushing off the real-world impact.
She doubled down on the administration’s shaky narrative:
“The reality is, as the president has always said, Chinese producers will absorb the cost of these tariffs. That’s why China rushed to the negotiating table.”
Leavitt even tried to spin the inflation numbers, saying:
“Inflation is falling largely because of lower energy prices, thanks to the president’s robust energy agenda.”
But when asked what Trump meant by “I’ll be watching” Walmart, Leavitt stumbled:
“Uh, he’ll be watching... seeing what they’re doing.”
Let’s be real: Trump’s post proves that tariffs do raise costs for American businesses and consumers. If China were truly absorbing the tariffs, there’d be nothing for Walmart to “eat.” Trump himself inadvertently confirmed the truth — tariffs are a tax on consumers.
On Truth Social, Trump ranted:
“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”
Meanwhile, Walmart’s executives are sounding the alarm. CFO John David Rainey told The Wall Street Journal that the speed and scale of price increases are “unprecedented in history.” The company’s Q1 profits fell from $5.10 billion to $4.45 billion, and prices are set to rise this summer.
“We will do our best to keep prices low,” said CEO Doug McMillon, “but given the size of the tariffs — even at the reduced levels — we can’t absorb all of it with our already thin margins.”
Despite MAGA world’s attempts to rewrite economic reality, Americans are living with the consequences. Tariffs hit when goods arrive in the U.S., and companies like Walmart have to pay — then pass the cost to you.
Trump and Leavitt can keep spinning fantasies. The rest of us are stuck dealing with the fallout — higher prices, squeezed budgets, and a White House more interested in blaming others than facing facts.
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