As global markets plunged on Friday, President Donald Trump posted a cryptic five-word message on his Truth Social platform, which many found tone-deaf and out of touch with the situation. The post came after Trump’s decision to raise tariffs, a move that sent stock markets into a tailspin.
The stock market collapse followed the intensification of Trump’s trade war, which some fear could push the country into what Senator Chuck Schumer called the “dumbest” recession ever. With Republicans like Senators Rand Paul from Kentucky and John Kennedy from Louisiana criticizing the tariff hikes, Trump’s response was to offer reassurance — though not in the way many expected.
Instead of a detailed policy explanation or call for calm, Trump’s message was short and blunt: “ONLY THE WEAK WILL FAIL!” The post was written while Trump was traveling in a motorcade to his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he spent the day golfing. Meanwhile, the rest of the world dealt with the economic fallout of his tariff decisions. Later that evening, Trump attended a candlelight dinner at Mar-a-Lago with supporters of his super PAC, MAGA Inc.
The all-caps post immediately sparked backlash across social media, with many users criticizing both the content and the timing of Trump’s message.
One user wrote: “Only the weak will fail”? Really? Get off the fucking golf course you fucking fat fuck and reverse the tariffs.”
Another pointed out the severe impact of Trump’s actions on the stock market: “The Dow Jones dropped 2,232 points today, 3,900 points the past two days & 5,000 points since Trump was inaugurated and Trump’s response to causing the biggest drop in stock crash in history aside from the Pandemic crash? ‘Only the Weak Will Fail’ – He’s just a truly awful human.”
Others took aim at Trump’s own business failures, with one user commenting, “Only the weak will fail” says Donald Trump who’s taken 6 businesses into bankruptcy including a casino!”
Some also pointed out the potential harm Trump’s tariffs could have on everyday Americans, with one user writing: “Seems like what Trump really means is, ‘ONLY THE POOR WILL FAIL!’ because average Americans are perpetually impacted more than anyone on Earth.” The user added, “So if you’re struggling, when Trump’s tariffs make life worse, it’s your fault.”
Trump’s post, and the responses it triggered, highlight the growing frustration with his economic policies as markets continue to react to his trade war.
