Trump snaps at reporter over 'tariffs in his first term' question: 'Was fighting lunatics like you'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump insulted a reporter on Thursday, July 31, over questions about a newly signed tariff, telling the reporter he was "fighting lunatics like you" during his first term.

The heated exchange between the president and the reporter took place following a White House signing ceremony for a series of executive actions aimed at expanding reciprocal tariffs and strengthening US trade policy.

Donald Trump defends delayed tariff strategy, citing pandemic and political opposition during first term

While speaking with reporters at the White House on Thursday, July 31, a reporter asked President Donald Trump why he is placing greater emphasis on tariffs during his second term.

"You’re weighing your decision to do that, your authority to do that based on a 1977 law. It's never been invoked before," the reporter said.

He added, "Why didn't you invoke this law in your first term? You could have taken in billions upon billions of dollars in your first term, but you waited until your second term?"

The president responded, "Yeah, because in my first term, I was fighting lunatics like you who were trying to do things incorrectly and inappropriately to a president that was duly elected."

He continued, "And we did do certain tariffs in the first term. If you look at China, China, we took in hundreds of billions of dollars from China."

Trump also noted that the Covid-19 pandemic played a role in his decision not to emphasize tariffs as heavily during his first term.

"When Covid came, the last thing I was going to do is tell France and Italy and Spain, and a couple of other countries, that we're going to hit you with tariffs. We had to fight the Covid situation when that came," Trump explained.

The president added, "But if you look at my first term, we took in hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs, but you people didn't cover it very well."

Meanwhile, a statement from the White House said the president’s executive actions “reflect the president’s continued efforts to protect the United States against foreign threats to the national security and economy of the United States by securing fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade relationships to benefit American workers, farmers, and manufacturers and to strengthen the United States’ defense industrial base.”

Interestingly, the exchange came shortly after Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade deal between the US and the EU on July 27. 

Internet divided as Donald Trump takes jibe at reporter

Many internet users remained divided and shared mixed reactions after Donald Trump told a reporter he was "fighting lunatics like you" during his first term, in response to questions about a newly signed tariff.

One user wrote on X, "Trump can’t handle trade deals or basic questions," while another commented, "I get that this is a zinger, but objectively, I don't believe this is a viable answer. Reporters are no different now than during his first term."

Another person remarked, "I guess it takes one lunatic to recognize another," while someone else added, "Trump is so weak that words keep him from doing any work."

On the other hand, some defended the former president. One user wrote, "So now they are upset he didn’t do tariffs earlier? I thought they were going to bankrupt America?" Another added, "Perfect answer once again from the Master."

A supporter chimed in, "LOL, he always knows how to handle the fake news!" while another wrote, "OMG! These MSM numbskulls will never learn. Hilarious. I love it when they willingly walk into the DJT woodchipper."

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.