A White House official told the Washington Post that at this point in his presidency Donald Trump does not care anymore and will do whatever he wants, no matter the backlash.
“He’s at the peak of just not giving a fuck anymore,” the official said. “Bad news stories? Doesn’t give a fuck. He’s going to do what he’s going to do. He’s going to do what he promised to do on the campaign trail.”
The comments were reveal in a lengthy Post report detailing what went on behind the scenes leading up to Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ when he announced sweeping tariffs of at least 10% on most goods coming into the US.
On Wednesday, Trump announced ‘reciprocal’ baseline tariffs of 10% on most US trading partners and more targeted tariffs on many countries, including 34% on China, 20% on the European Union, 46% on Vietnam and 32% on Taiwan.
Stocks plummeted on Thursday and again on Friday after China announced 34% reciprocal tariffs on American goods.
The Post reported that the administration’s economic officials went to work after the inauguration up until three hours before the announcement on Wednesday to craft a tariff policy but ultimately, Trump decided to go with his gut and other senior officials and cabinet members fall in line.
A senior official told the Post this is not the first term anymore where “everyone thought they were president.”
