O'Donnell pointed out that even the conservative editorial board of The Wall Street Journal has challenged Trump's claim that these trade restrictions are popular, stating on Sunday that "if tariffs are a free economic lunch, and their benefits abound, why offer a rebate."
“Sixty-five percent of Americans oppose the Trump tariffs and Donald Trump’s response to that is to call them ‘fools,’ with an exclamation point,”
said O’Donnell.
“Sixty-five percent of the country knows that Donald Trump’s tariffs are causing inflation.”
“Sixty-five percent know that the Trump tariffs are economically hurting them,”
he added.
“And Donald Trump calls them ‘fools’ and then says he wants to send them all a check for $2,000 to compensate for the economic harm that his tariffs have caused those people.”
O'Donnell cited a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos survey from October 24–28 that revealed 65% of American people were against Trump's tariffs. This was significantly higher than the 61% of respondents who disapproved in an August Pew Research Center survey.
“People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS!”
Trump wrote Sunday on his Truth Social platform.
“We are now the Richest, Most Respected Country In the World, With Almost No Inflation, and A Record Stock Market Price. 401K’s are Highest Ever.”
In April, Trump declared a broad 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with additional duties imposed on some nations. Although the initial statement caused market turmoil and raised concerns of a worldwide recession, the details have subsequently changed.
Last week, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court expressed doubts about Trump's ability to apply those duties without the consent of Congress, which he has done by citing the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Given that a decision in the case is anticipated early next year, Trump seemed anxious about this on social media on Tuesday. O'Donnell conducted a fact check after he warned that losses from repealing the tariffs would "not be possible" and would cost $3 trillion.
“Only $195 billion has been collected in Trump tariffs and all of that could easily be refunded,”
O’Donnell said.
“The IRS refunds that much every year in overpaid income taxes … and it’s just as easy as the refund that the Treasury sends to millions and millions of taxpayers every year.”
What specific tariffs did O'Donnell discuss in the segment?
A minimum tariff of 10% applicable to imports from nearly every country in addition to other tariffs applicable to specific countries, particularly Chinese, Canadian, and Mexican imports. A 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, including automotive parts and aluminum imports, which went into effect in March 2025.
A range of tariffs resulting from Section 232 investigations, targeting products in other industries such as copper, lumber, timber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Tariffs proposed or at some point enacted by the former administration in retaliation against countries importing oil from Venezuela.
O'Donnell criticized these tariffs as being impractical, constitutionally doubtful, and damaging to American businesses and American consumers, noting that many were either reversed or were blocked by the courts.