Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, was taken aback by President Donald Trump’s latest comments on the potential economic fallout of his tariffs, calling them nothing short of shocking. Trump’s candid dismissal of concerns over a looming recession and his willingness to let Americans bear the brunt of the pain left Scarborough stunned.
The Morning Joe host criticized Trump for his flagrant indifference to the economic consequences of his policies, particularly his tariffs. In a blunt interview, the president suggested that Americans would simply have to “get by with less” if the economy suffered as a result of his trade war.
“What’s so fascinating is when we had [The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief] Jeff Goldberg in the other day, he said, you know, we always talk about how Donald Trump will move anywhere and he doesn’t really believe in anything,” Scarborough began. He continued by quoting Goldberg’s point that Trump’s belief in tariffs has been unwavering since 1987. “You can read it, like, he believes in tariffs. He’s believed in tariffs since 1987, he’s moving forward with tariffs.”
But what truly shocked Scarborough was Trump’s apparent disregard for the suffering that may come with his policies. “What is remarkable and what we have not heard other presidents say is, yeah, maybe we’ll go into recession. Maybe your kids need to get by with less at Christmas, maybe you need to get by with less,” Scarborough said, emphasizing how unprecedented and callous such an admission is from any sitting president.
“Never heard any president say that ever,” Scarborough added. “Which may also lead to what you’ve heard from inside the White House, what I’ve heard from inside the White House and what he said yesterday…he’s not running again, he’s not running in 2028, so he’s willing to play this out, and if there’s some short-term pain, he’s fine with it.”
Scarborough’s outrage stemmed from the suggestion that the president, with no future political ambitions, was willing to let the American people suffer for his broader political agenda. “He’s not running again, he’s not running in 2028, so he’s willing to play this out,” Scarborough said. “If there’s some short-term pain, he’s fine with it.”
The president’s admission that his tariffs could bring a recession wasn’t the only unsettling comment. Scarborough drew a comparison to Elon Musk, who had also acknowledged the sacrifices Americans might need to make. Musk had warned that government cuts would lead to economic hardship, though he likely didn’t foresee the $125 billion to $150 billion personal loss he would face in the process.
“It is absolutely fascinating,” Scarborough said, remarking on the bluntness with which both Trump and Musk have discussed the potential pain Americans may endure. “The president’s been very straightforward, saying you may have to get by with less, yeah, maybe we’ll have a recession. We’ll see how that plays out on the campaign.”
Scarborough also took aim at Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for his controversial comment that cheap consumer goods are not a “God-given right.”
“Mr. Bessent, it may not be, Secretary Bessent, but the American people think it is,” Scarborough shot back, underscoring the disconnect between elites in Washington and everyday Americans. “So we’re coming to a time where there is going to be a real test if shelves are empty.”
Watch the full clip below:
