CNN host compares Trump to an 'arsonist' who calls fire brigade after POTUS presses pause on his tariffs

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump’s sudden reversal on most of his tariffs has sparked a wave of sharp criticism and vivid metaphors from CNN anchors, who accused the president of creating a crisis only to take credit for fixing it. 

The decision reignited debate among analysts over the future of the US–China trade relations, with some warning that the Asian nation may no longer be interested in negotiating. 

The backlash wasn’t limited to left-leaning networks. Even on Fox, some acknowledged that Trump had essentially caved under pressure despite loyal defenders framing it as a calculated strategy.

CNN anchors discuss Donald Trump's sudden tariff pause

During CNN’s evening segment on 'The Lead' on Wednesday, April 9, anchor Jake Tapper spoke with Richard Quest of CNN International about the one major exception to President Donald Trump’s tariff pause—China, The Daily Beast reported. 

Rather than easing the pressure, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, citing Beijing’s retaliatory actions.

Tapper asked, “If you were a betting man, do you think China and the United States are going to come to an agreement?”

Quest examined the situation from several perspectives, suggesting that China might wait to see if the tit-for-tat escalations begin to scale down.

“I think China is going to watch to see whether or not you sort of do tit, but the ‘for tat’ gets lower and lower and lower until you end up somewhere in the middle,” he explained. Quest added that the difference in tariffs could become small enough for China to tolerate, saying, “Because at some point one side or the other is going to telegraph that they are ready to meet.”

However, he warned that China’s recent statements hinted at a tougher stance. “The Chinese statement overnight is that they are in this to the bitter end.”

He continued, “And that’s the worrying part, because China may have just written off the United States for the foreseeable future and is just going to go head-to-head, toe-for-toe. We’re going to have to wait for a few more hours to see if they match the 125 from Donald Trump.”

Reflecting on the stock market’s rebound on Wednesday, Tapper questioned whether Trump’s actions were less about strategy and more about theatrics—likening it to “pushing an old lady down the stairs and then wanting credit for helping her back up at the bottom.”

Richard Quest echoed the sentiment with his own analogy, comparing it to “an arsonist calling the fire brigade and then taking credit—a similar sort of idea.”

Conservative commentators call Donald Trump's tariff shift a capitulation

Donald Trump’s sudden shift in tariff policy, which drew approval from figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, was quickly defended by many on the political right, who claimed it was a calculated move all along. 

However, not everyone bought into that narrative. On Fox Business Network, typically more favorable to the president, senior correspondent Charles Gasparino offered a blunt assessment. He told viewers that Trump’s so-called “art of the deal” looked more like a surrender.

"Let’s be clear about what happened, who capitulated here and why,” Gasparino said. “I don’t want to say this because I am a patriot, I am an American, but it is the White House who capitulated, based on everything I hear and all my sources,” he added.

Internet divided after CNN anchors compare Donald Trump to an 'arsonist' over his tariff shift

After CNN anchors compared Donald Trump to an "arsonist" during the discussion on 'The Lead', many internet users quickly voiced their opinions on the same in the comments section of The Daily Beast article.

One reader agreed with the CNN hosts and wrote, "That’s exactly what he does."

Another commented, "CNN is a joke."

A comment read, "They just don't understand what just happened, he got 50 plus countries to come to table, got China standing on the outside looking in and giving us and other countries time to get their teams advised." 

On Facebook, one user shared, "Hey, look, it's Jake from CNN. Hi, Jake from CNN. And here we are with 75-plus countries ready to negotiate a deal. Whether China is on board today or tomorrow, we are at 75-plus countries that want to negotiate. I find this entertaining; if Trump announced that oxygen is beneficial, twenty million #LunaticLeftys would suffocate themselves out of spite."

One person shared, "CNN, hits rock bottom and keeps on digging!" Another added, "He’s all over the place. Impeach!"

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.