‘Biggest Idiot Ever Made!’ C-SPAN Callers Across the Spectrum Torch Trump Over Tariffs

 

President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war with Canada took a beating from C-SPAN callers across the political spectrum Thursday, with Republicans and independents alike venting over rising prices, failed negotiations and the president’s increasingly aggressive tariff threats.

The unusually bipartisan barrage came as Trump intensified his attacks on Canada following the collapse of negotiations and threatened sweeping new tariffs while branding America’s northern neighbor “entitled” and “the most difficult and unreasonable” country to negotiate with.

One independent caller from Ohio, warned that Trump’s tariffs were “going to kill the American worker” and predicted they would damage the U.S. economy.

“I feel the same way that [previous caller] Doug in Canada feels about Donald Trump, he is about the biggest idiot ever made,” he said. “I just want you to know that, and that is just how I feel about it because of this trade war. We lost in Iran, we are going to lose this trade war. What is his problem?”

A Republican caller from Tallahassee, Florida, argued that Trump’s “aggressive” tactics were no longer producing the results they had during his first administration.

“I find it all to be very disappointing that not even he seems to realize that, just embarrassing himself,” the caller said. “He will not stop, and everything is expensive.”

Another Florida caller, Ryan, said he had backed Trump in 2024 but was reconsidering that decision: “Honestly, I voted for Trump in 2024. Starting to regret it.”

“You know, his policies are getting more and more draconian. I just do not like the whole direction where this is coming,” he said.

Virginia, a Republican from Maryland, went further, warning that tariffs on lumber would pile additional pressure on Americans already struggling with housing and grocery costs.

“This man needs to be removed from office, and Congress is just not doing their job,” she said, confirming she had been a Republican since she was 18.

Independent caller Jack, meanwhile, said Trump “should be out of office and put up for treason or whatever the word is.”

“It is just ridiculous. We are not liked in any nation anymore,” he added.

The backlash came after Canada withdrew from negotiations shortly before a U.S. deadline triggering a 50% tariff on nearly $20 billion in Canadian imports.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa had “worked intensively and in good faith,” but accused Washington of choosing to “ask too much and offer too little.” U.S. officials blamed Canada for introducing last-minute changes.

Trump has responded by escalating his rhetoric, threatening 50& tariffs on Canadian vehicles, automotive parts and steel from January 2027 and declaring: “WE DON’T NEED CANADA, THEY NEED US!”

He also threatened to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” saying “we don’t expect to doing much business with Ontario any longer.”

Watch above via CSPAN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!

Tags: