Tension erupted on the set of Fox and Friends as co-hosts engaged in a heated debate about the economic implications of President Trump's tariffs.
According to Daily Mail, Fox News host Steve Doocy dramatically declared that Republican donors are "terrified" of the political consequences of Trump's new tariffs, sparking a fierce disagreement with his fellow conservative co-hosts.
The confrontation unfolded as markets continued their downward spiral, with both the Dow and S&P experiencing sustained losses. Fox News faced criticism for removing its trademark stock market ticker during this significant market downturn.
Doocy highlighted the case of Casey Ames, a 34-year-old Idaho toy importer whose tariff expenses skyrocketed overnight. The businessman's annual tariff payment jumped from $26,000 to $346,000, threatening the survival of his enterprise.
Lawrence Jones, one of Doocy's co-hosts, defended Trump's position by suggesting that while wealthy individuals oppose the tariffs, middle-class Americans and farmers support the president's trade policies. He characterized the criticism as coming primarily from "the elites."
Ainsley Earhardt joined Jones in backing Trump's stance, describing the situation as "a moment of drastic, overdue change." This prompted Doocy to emphasize the real-world consequences for small business owners like Ames.
The network's coverage has shown signs of shifting, with several prominent Fox News personalities beginning to question Trump's trade policies. Maria Bartiromo, a respected business expert at the network, recently acknowledged the possibility of an impending recession.
Jesse Watters expressed apprehension about the tariffs on The Five, though he maintained that other countries would bear the cost. The tension reflects a broader debate within conservative media about the economic impact of Trump's trade policies.
Brian Kilmeade attempted to frame the current economic turbulence as a necessary sacrifice for long-term benefits, suggesting that "people are not going to be remembering these 2 weeks if we can set up the next 20 years."
Fox News host Lawrence Jones offered this perspective on the divide:
I have two groups of friends. I have my more wealthy friends, the ones that are on Wall Street and all that. And then I have friends that are in the farming community, middle class - they're cheering it on. Meanwhile, my friends that are more rich and wealthy are ticked off.
The situation has drawn comparisons to historical trade policies. Critics have pointed out that current U.S. tariff levels are approaching those seen during the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which many economists blame for deepening the Great Depression.
Mike Johnson, speaking from the House floor, indicated that the House would provide Trump with "space" to implement his trade strategy, despite mounting market losses and growing Republican concerns.
The heated exchange on Fox and Friends represents a significant moment in conservative media's coverage of Trump's economic policies. Steve Doocy's vocal concerns about the impact on small businesses, particularly the case of Idaho toy importer Casey Ames, highlighted the real-world consequences of the tariff increases. The debate among Fox News hosts reflects broader tensions within Republican circles as markets react negatively to the new tariffs. While some hosts maintain support for Trump's trade strategy, others like Doocy and Maria Bartiromo have begun expressing reservations about the economic implications, particularly for small business owners facing substantial cost increases.
