Fox News' Greg Gutfeld dismisses celebration over SCOTUS ruling on tariffs: 'It’s about leverage'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox News host Greg Gutfeld dismissed celebration over the Supreme Court’s ruling on President Donald Trump’s tariff authority on Friday, February 20.
He argued that the decision does not dismantle the broader trade strategy but merely alters negotiating dynamics.
Speaking on Fox News, Gutfeld said critics were overstating the impact of the Court’s move, which struck down Trump’s use of emergency powers to implement tariffs.
🚨 Greg Gutfeld gives a REALITY CHECK on the Supreme Court Ruling: “It doesn’t block the system of tariffs, it just adjusts the leverage. It’s all about leverage.”
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) February 20, 2026
“For the people that are gloating, they are probably the same people who backed the student loan bailout. They can… pic.twitter.com/HuKz4ioiXu
Greg Gutfeld says SCOTUS ruling 'adjusts leverage'
Reacting to the ruling, Gutfeld framed the decision as a tactical setback rather than a strategic defeat.
“It doesn’t block the system of tariffs, it just adjusts the leverage. It’s all about leverage,” he said.
He mocked those celebrating the ruling, comparing them to supporters of former President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which was previously rejected by the Court.
“For the people that are gloating, they are probably the same people who backed the student loan bailout. The Supreme Court rejected that but it didn’t stop Biden did it?!” he said.
According to Gutfeld, tariffs are simply a policy instrument rather than an ideological crusade.
“Tariffs are not an emotional thing to us. It’s just a tool. But because it’s an emotional thing for Dems, they’re like ‘this is so great’ but this is just another day. We’re still gonna get it whether you like it or not!”
Trump: "I am allowed to cut off any and all trade…I can destroy the trade, I can destroy the country, I'm even allowed to impose a foreign country destroying embargo…I can do anything I want to do to them…I'm allowed to destroy the country, but I can't charge a little fee." pic.twitter.com/LZQLJQueuI
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) February 20, 2026
Fox News' Greg Gutfeld slams liberal media
Gutfeld also took aim at media coverage of the Supreme Court, accusing outlets of misleading the public about the ideological leanings of the justices.
“What the media won’t tell you is how much they lie,” he said, arguing that claims the Court operates as a “MAGA” institution or is in Trump’s pocket have been used to fuel calls for term limits and court packing.
He contended that such rhetoric has heightened public hostility toward the judiciary and contributed to threats against conservative justices.
"The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing."
— Wunderkind (@EngineerNGR) February 20, 2026
President Trump reacts to the SCOTUS tariff decision in a briefing at the White House and says he is “absolutely ashamed” of certain members on the court. pic.twitter.com/wF2fWIEw05
SCOTUS' tariff ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision struck down Trump’s attempt to impose tariffs under emergency authority, ruling that the administration exceeded its statutory powers.
The case centered on the use of an emergency law to justify sweeping trade penalties, a move the Court determined was not supported by congressional authorization.
The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Trump’s approach to trade policy but does not eliminate tariffs altogether. The administration retains other statutory mechanisms to pursue trade actions.
President Trump had slammed the SC ruling on Friday, February 20, calling it “deeply disappointing”.
