On “Liberation Day,” right-wing media predicted Trump’s tariffs would boost the economy. So far, the effects have been disastrous.

When Trump rolled out his tariff policy on “Liberation Day” last year, his lackeys in right-wing media cheered him on, declaring that tariffs would boost the economy. A few figures acknowledged there would be short-term pain, as others made enthusiastic predictions that Trump’s tariff policy would lead to economic prosperity. 

• Leading Trump sycophant Sean Hannity claimed tariffs would generate “a new golden age of American wealth and exceptionalism.” 

• Fox Business’ Elizabeth MacDonald stated Trump was trying to “reignite a manufacturing golden age.” 

• Newsmax host Carl Higbie declared, “American jobs being created because we want to make things more fair.”

A year later, Trump’s tariffs have had disastrous effects on the economy:

• The American economy actually supports fewer total jobs than before the sweeping tariffs were announced.

• The manufacturing industry lost nearly 100,000 jobs in the 10 months following the announcement.

• The trade deficit has barely narrowed.

• Families have been burdened with an estimated annual cost ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.