Summary
Home Depot co-founder and GOP megadonor Ken Langone blasted Trump’s sweeping tariffs as “bulls–t,” calling the 10% across-the-board rate and country-specific hikes—like 34% on China and 46% on Vietnam—“too aggressive” and poorly calculated.
Langone criticized the administration’s formula, based on trade deficits, as nonsensical.
Other prominent figures, including economists and billionaires like Stanley Druckenmiller, Bill Ackman, and Elon Musk, have also spoken out.
Critics warn the tariffs hinder negotiation and lack sound economic grounding. Langone said Trump is being “poorly advised” on trade policy.
I don’t think it’s just about possessions for them, it’s about power, influence. If he get’s slightly poorer, he may no more be able to buy politicians and make them do what he wants.
You can buy a US congressperson for as little as $10-15k depending on the state, so that really can’t be it. Check OpenSecrets for confirmation.