President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies are causing unease among his staunchest allies, including Wall Street executives, Silicon Valley billionaires, congressional Republicans, and even his most loyal MAGA supporters. His abrupt shift announcing a universal 10% reciprocal tariff after initially imposing steep levies on 60 trading partners has done little to calm fears, especially as market volatility and economic uncertainty rise.
Trump’s trade war tactics have drawn rare public criticism from GOP lawmakers. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a usual Trump ally, warned that tariffs act as a hidden tax on consumers and could fuel inflation, stifle job growth, and even trigger a recession. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul condemned Trump’s use of “national emergency” justifications for tariffs, calling it an overreach.
In a surprising bipartisan move, four Republican senators including Mitch McConnell and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in April to block Trump’s tariffs on Canada. Another bill, led by Senator Chuck Grassley, seeks to give Congress veto power over new tariffs within 60 days, signaling growing GOP resistance. The White House, however, has threatened a veto, underscoring Trump’s unwavering stance
Even Trump’s base is showing cracks. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro dismissed the notion that tariffs enrich Americans, calling it “really problematic.” Popular podcaster Joe Rogan, a 2024 Trump supporter, labeled the feud with Canada “stupid.” Former Vice President Mike Pence warned that Trump’s trade policies could hurt Republicans in the 2026 midterms.
Cruz went further, cautioning that if Trump’s tariffs cause an economic downturn, the GOP could face a “bloodbath” in upcoming elections. As inflation fears mount and markets react nervously, Trump’s trade strategy once a rallying cry for economic nationalism is now testing the loyalty of his closest backers. Whether he adjusts course or doubles down could determine not just his political future, but the GOP’s electoral fortunes.
