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To tariff or not to tariff? Welcome to Translating Politics đź‘‹

Chris Brennan   Paste BN

Donald Trump will sometimes tell us the truth if we know what to listen for.

Take his tariffs – please! – as an example.

Trump, speaking Tuesday at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual black-tie fundraising dinner, suggested that the tariffs he implemented – which set off a collapse in the stock market – would make it easier for his political party to win big in the 2026 midterm elections.

What? Were you expecting congruity? Trump caused a massive problem for his party. Of course, he’s going to claim he actually did them a favor. This is a guy who absolutely abhors responsibility.

But the obstinate president also showed us the real Trump in this speech while noting that the economic calamity he inflicted on America is also being felt around the globe.

Trump bragged that the leaders of other countries are now “kissing my a--” while trying to get him to undo the damage.

He mocked that, adopting the voice of a weakling while telling the crowd these foreign leaders are telling him: “Please, Sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything, Sir.”

And that’s how you translate Trump. This is what that is all about. 

It’s not about trade imbalances and tariffs. It’s about Trump’s insatiable need to be respected and feared. This was the highlight of his speech – the part that got the most media attention – for a reason.

Need more proof? Trump, less than 24 hours after that speech, backed off on most of his threatened tariffs.

This was the real Trump, on stage, telling us the truth for a change. His ego had to let it slip.

And that’s what we’ll do here with my new newsletter, Translating Politics. We’ll listen carefully to what Trump and other politicians have to say. And then we’ll cross-check that with facts and reality to see what stands up under scrutiny and what falls down.

Join me as we examine what politicians are trying to say – and not say – as they seek our attention but not so much our scrutiny.

Here's what else we're following this week:

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