GOP: Americans willing to “do what it takes” as Trump’s national tariff tax threatens to send energy prices soaring
As experts warn that Trump’s national tariff tax threatens to “spike” domestic energy prices, Republicans are telling their constituents to reject the evidence of their eyes and ears and “have fun!” with higher costs. But the American people aren’t buying it. A recent Harris poll shows that affordability is the top measure of a strong economy for most Americans—yet only 31% believe Trump’s tariffs will actually improve it.
That hasn’t stopped Republicans from tuning out reality and conveniently forgetting then candidate-Trump’s promise to “drive down prices and make America affordable again” on day one. Instead, they’re insisting that Americans are happy to pay more for energy and everyday essentials—and that they should just “sit tight” as Trump’s policies drive up their bills:
President Donald Trump: “The tariffs [...] may be a little bit of an adjustment period [...] There'll be a little disturbance. We're okay with that.” [Joint Address to Congress, CNN Transcript, 3/4/25]
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.): "Are the American people ready to get the country back on track and do what it takes to make that happen? Absolutely… It’s going to affect a lot of companies. We’re going to have to adjust some prices for it…” [Tweet from CNN’s Manu Raju, 3/3/25]
- When asked if Sen. Mullin’s constituents are prepared for higher prices: “I think our constituents are going to do what it takes to get America back on track.” [Tweet from CNN’s Manu Raju, 3/3/25]
Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.): “We all have a role to play [...] if I have to pay a little bit more for something, I’m all for it…” [CNN, 3/4/25]
- Asked if his constituents feel the same way: “I think so.” [CNN, 3/4/25]
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.): On his tariff message to constituents: “Sit tight,” despite confirming that “they’re holding off on contracts, they’re holding off on expanding their business,” which “obviously, has an effect on the economy in my state.” [Fox Business, 3/4/25]
Sen. Tommy Tubberville (R-Ala.): Acknowledging that Americans “suffered a little bit” under Trump’s first-term tariffs: “There’ll be some effect early but you got to take the bad with the good. No way around it.” [HuffPost, 3/4/25]
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.): On the impact of Trump’s tariffs: “It is something we’ll all have to weather,” while downplaying higher prices asnot “terrible, you know.” [POLITICO, 3/4/25]
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): On his message to Americans facing rising household bills: “Just have a little patience with this. Let it play out, see how it develops.” [POLITICO, 3/4/25]
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