Trump Tariffs Face Criticism From Conservative Influencers \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs shake global markets, influential conservative voices and longtime Trump allies are expressing serious concern. Dave Portnoy, Ben Shapiro, Elon Musk, Bill Ackman, and Joe Rogan are among those questioning the policy’s impact on the economy. Their criticism highlights rising tension within pro-Trump circles.
Quick Looks:
- Barstool’s Dave Portnoy says he’s lost $20 million due to market drop.
- Ben Shapiro calls tariff strategy “contradictory” and “wrongheaded.”
- Joe Rogan slams U.S.-Canada trade feud as “stupid.”
- Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman warns of “economic nuclear winter.”
- Elon Musk calls for a zero-tariff free trade zone with Europe.
- Influential right-wing podcasters break with Trump’s trade rhetoric.
- Trump tariffs set to take effect Wednesday despite GOP backlash.
- Navarro vs. Musk feud underscores divisions over trade policy.
Deep Look
Trump Faces Conservative Backlash Over Tariff Plan as Influencers and Investors Sound Alarm
As President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs prepares to take effect, some of the most vocal conservative influencers and business leaders who helped elevate him to political dominance are now publicly voicing doubts — or outright opposition — to the policy.
Longtime allies and media powerhouses including Dave Portnoy, Ben Shapiro, Joe Rogan, Bill Ackman, and Elon Musk have all raised concerns about the strategy, citing economic fallout, market instability, and strategic incoherence.
Shapiro: “Wrongheaded” Policy with “Contradictory” Messaging
Ben Shapiro, founder of The Daily Wire and a key voice among young conservatives, criticized Trump’s rollout of the tariffs during a recent episode of the “All-In” podcast.
“The way that the tariff plan was rolled out is about as bad a rollout as you could do,” Shapiro said.
In a separate YouTube video shared with his 7 million+ subscribers, Shapiro added that tariffs don’t inherently strengthen the U.S. economy, calling the argument for them “untrue.”
“The idea that it is going to result in massive reshoring of manufacturing is also untrue,” he said.
Shapiro originally backed Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 primary before ultimately endorsing Trump, but his commentary reflects growing discomfort with the Republican frontrunner’s economic direction.
Portnoy: “No Agenda” But Massive Market Losses
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a media mogul and financial streamer, told viewers on his “Davey Day Trader” livestream that he has lost over $20 million in the recent market downturn — about 15% of his net worth.
“Welcome to Orange Monday,” he joked, referencing Trump’s influence over the economy.
While Portnoy remains a staunch Trump backer, even interviewing him at the White House in 2020, he acknowledged the gravity of the tariff impacts:
“They’re smarter than me when it comes to these tariffs,” Portnoy said. “I think he’s playing a high-stakes game.”
Still, Portnoy said he would “roll with [Trump] for a couple days, a couple weeks,” to see how it plays out.
Joe Rogan: “Stupid” Trade Disputes, Breaking With Trump
Joe Rogan, host of one of the world’s most influential podcasts, criticized Trump’s feud with Canada, calling the trade tensions “stupid” and noting how they’ve affected public sentiment, including sports events.
“Canadians booed us over tariffs,” Rogan said.
Rogan also denounced Trump’s mass deportation plans, calling a recent immigration raid “horrific.” His evolving commentary indicates a broader divergence from Trump’s 2024-2025 campaign tone, even after Rogan endorsed Trump during the last election cycle.
Ackman: “Self-Induced Economic Nuclear Winter”
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has historically supported Trump’s economic policies, sounded the alarm on X (formerly Twitter), warning that the tariff rollout risks triggering a self-inflicted economic disaster.
“We are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter,” Ackman posted Sunday.
He also criticized Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, before later apologizing and clarifying that Lutnick’s financial firm might actually benefit from the turmoil.
“I’m just frustrated watching what I believe to be a major policy error,” Ackman added.
Musk: Push for Free Trade Zone, Clashes With Navarro
Even Elon Musk, a Trump adviser tasked with modernizing the federal government, expressed concern over the tariffs’ impact on global trade and Tesla’s production costs.
In a video call with Italian officials, Musk suggested that North America and Europe should move toward a zero-tariff free trade zone.
“That would be ideal,” Musk said. “A real free trade zone between major allies.”
But Trump adviser Peter Navarro dismissed Musk’s comments, saying the billionaire “doesn’t understand” trade policy.
Musk fired back on social media, calling Navarro “truly a moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks,” highlighting how internal rifts over Trump’s economic strategy are becoming very public — and very personal.
A Turning Point Among Influencers?
The collective backlash from right-wing media and financial leaders underscores a new challenge for Trump: managing dissent from within his own base. While some — like Portnoy — remain loyal, others are signaling a deeper break with the ideology of protectionism that defined much of Trump’s first term.
Whether the criticism alters Trump’s direction remains unclear. For now, the tariffs are set to take effect Wednesday, potentially sparking a broader economic and political reaction as the 2026 cycle heats up.
Trump Tariffs Face
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