‘I Don’t Know What’s in His Head’: Republican Senator Says Trump ‘Has Not Given One Clear Rationale’ for Tariffs

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) basically said your guess is as good as his when it comes to President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy.

Since taking office, Trump has imposed, paused, and re-implemented tariffs on more than 100 countries in what has been a confusing trade policy rollout, prompting markets to gyrate wildly. The latest head-scratcher came on Monday when Trump declared there are no exceptions in his tariffs. That remark came a day after his Commerce secretary said the administration was carving out an exemption for electronics.

Kennedy appeared on Monday’s edition of The Lead on CNN, where Jake Tapper asked him to weigh in.

“I have heard from Republicans on this show and others saying that they didn’t think President Trump – as great as a communicator as they think he is normally – fully explain what he is trying to do with these tariffs,” Tapper said. “What do you think?

“I see what you see,” the senator replied. “I think I know what’s in the president’s heart, but I don’t know what’s in his head. The people you’re talking about are right. The administration has not given one clear rationale for its tariffs. I think that’s intentional. I don’t know, but my guess is, it’s intentional. And that it’s part of the president’s negotiating strategy, but Jake, I don’t want to feign understanding. I don’t know.”

He added, “The president believes if you’re gonna be a bear, be a grizzly. Like him or dislike him, agree or disagree – right now, he’s being a grizzly.”

Two weeks ago, Kennedy told CNN that for better or worse, the current economy belongs to Trump.

“There’s no question. I think once he decided to add the tariffs, clearly, I mean, he will be held responsible – as he should – whether it turns out good or it turns out badly,” the senator said.

Watch above via CNN.