‘I don’t know anyone that isn’t pissed off at him’: Trump world turns on Lutnick
While Americans and much of the world brace for a possible season of pain following the imposition of the new tranche of tariffs, Trump’s orbit is ready to play the blame game should things go poorly for the White House. And all the fingers will be pointing at Lutnick, two people close to the administration, granted anonymity to discuss the private dynamics, told POLITICO.
“I think people would take special pleasure in blaming him,” said one.
Lutnick spends substantial time in the Oval Office, hyping the president on his tariff strategy and “giving him bad advice — pushing more aggressive tariffs,” the person said.
Lutnick is “a new voice at the table pushing crazy shit,” in the words of the person familiar with the situation. “I don’t know anyone that isn’t pissed off at him.”
White House staff and allies, patience with Lutnick was wearing thin amid his frequent TV appearances and incessant proximity to Trump. Now, it’s even more frayed as the economic stakes have reached a new high.
“Everybody” in Washington is freaking out about what could come on April 2, said one of the people, a White House ally.
The corporate world has “no optimism” right now, said another. “They know tariffs are coming, and their hope is that the damage will be fast and significant enough to quickly have the administration backtrack.”
Trump, meanwhile, revels in the uncertainty. He “likes the shock and awe,” a White House official said, and aims to capitalize on it. “Each country needs to panic and call. … Trump wants to hear you grovel and say you’ll cut a deal.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/01/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-lutnick-politics-00262869
leadership by chaos and uncertainty...
rarely ends well.
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Crnr2Crnr ·
Pelle15 Newest Member ·