"April 2nd: When America Goes Bankrupt"
Liberation? Please. This is economic self-immolation wrapped in a MAGA bow.
Brace yourself, my Substack Subscribers. April 2, 2025, or as President Trump has grandly declared it, “D-Day” or Liberation Day which is shaping up to be the day America takes a financial swan dive without a parachute. According to the man-child in chief, this is the day we finally “free” ourselves from the scourge of global exploitation by slapping reciprocal tariffs on every country on the planet. Yes, you read that right. Not just China. Not just Mexico. Not just Canada. Not just the European Union or a handful of “cheaters” with trade imbalances. No; everyone gets a slice of the shit tariff pie.
Liberation? Please. This is economic self-immolation wrapped in a MAGA bow.
Trump, fresh off another taxpayer-funded joyride aboard Air Force One, triumphantly declared to reporters that the tariffs will target “all nations, not just the biggest offenders.” In Trump-speak, that’s code for “I have no idea how tariffs work, but if a little is good, then more must be great.”
Here’s the thing: tariffs are not some magic wand that punishes foreign evildoers while filling American coffers. They’re a tax on us. You, me, and every person buying groceries, appliances, or; God help us, a car. The cost of living will spike faster than the excuses at a Trump legal defense presser.
These reciprocal tariffs will hit multiple sectors and affect countless industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to tech and retail. Because when you declare a financial war on the entire world, you don’t just hurt them; you burn your own house down as well.
Even before Wednesday’s announcement, the markets are jittery. Investors aren’t exactly known for their bravery in the face of economic roulette. The Dow is already down over 4% this week, tech stocks have tumbled, and foreign exchange markets are pricing in volatility not seen since, well, Trump’s last tariff tantrum.
But make no mistake; this is different. This is bigger. Unlike his previous China-targeted tariffs, which were at least geographically limited, this unhinged economic broadside has no borders. Companies can’t reroute supply chains when every country is a target.
Manufacturers that rely on imported steel and aluminum will have no choice but to hike prices on everything from refrigerators to skyscrapers. Farmers already reeling from years of retaliatory tariffs will now face even steeper export penalties, pricing their crops out of international markets. And tech companies? Let’s just say your next smartphone will require a second mortgage.
The real victims, of course, won’t be the billionaires Trump loves to lavish with tax cuts. It’ll be us. You know; the Americans who work hard, pay taxes, and expect their government not to tank the economy for sport.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” means higher grocery bills, as food prices will surge when farmers pass on the costs of export tariffs to domestic consumers. It means costlier construction and housing, as steel and aluminum tariffs jack up building costs, making homes, renovations, and even infrastructure projects unaffordable. Cars and electronics will become significantly more expensive, as tariffs on imported parts add thousands of dollars to the price of vehicles, washing machines, and phones. Small businesses, already operating on razor-thin margins, will face rising costs they can’t absorb. As prices climb and profits shrink, many will be forced to lay off employees or close their doors entirely.
You’ll be “liberated” from affordable living. And yes, I’m talking to you, MAGA supporters, as well.
Here’s the kicker: Trump and his merry band of economic arsonists are still pushing the myth that tariffs somehow generate money for the U.S. In reality, tariffs are paid by American importers, not foreign governments. The tariffs are tacked onto the wholesale price, passed on to retailers, and then dumped in the lap of; you guessed it, the American consumer.
But Trump knows his base will eat it up. The man could announce he’s slapping a 100% tariff on oxygen or even their ugly red hats and they’d be screaming, “Fuck yeah! GO MAGA!”
This is the Trump business model: overpromise, underdeliver, and blame the fallout on someone else. When prices skyrocket, he’ll point the finger at “greedy corporations.” When jobs evaporate, he’ll blame immigrants. When the economy tanks, he’ll blame Biden or Obama or probably the ghost of FDR.
It’s not just predictable; it’s inevitable.
And let’s not kid ourselves; the rest of the world won’t just shrug and take the hit. The EU is already drafting retaliatory tariffs on American goods. China has vowed to slap severe penalties on U.S. exports, including soybeans, corn, and pork; cutting off lifelines to American farmers. Canada, our longtime trading partner, is reportedly considering targeted tariffs on U.S. beef, dairy, and energy exports.
That’s right. Trump’s “D-Day” will have consequences far beyond our shores. It will transform America from the leader of the free world into an economic pariah.
Don’t let the “Liberation Day” moniker fool you. This is nothing more than the economic manifestation of Trump’s narcissism. He wants to be seen as a hero; an economic freedom fighter, without understanding a damn thing about how global trade works.
For him, tariffs are a branding opportunity, a chance to slap a golden TRUMP logo on the American economy and call it a win. But for the rest of us, it’s going to mean fewer jobs, higher prices, and shrinking paychecks.
And when the dust settles, when the markets crash and the unemployment lines grow, he’ll do what he always does: claim victory, blame the media, and then move on to his next self-inflicted disaster.
Liberation Day? Bullshit! It’s more like Financial Armageddon Day.
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Thank you for this explanation of insanity.
Also, thank you for allowing free subscribers to leave comments.
If you are planning a run for congress, you have my vote.
You don’t understand what’s happening Michael. The tariffs are a grift. The money coming in is being stolen. Here you go:
Like any government revenue, tariffs collected can be misused or diverted through fraudulent means. Some common ways this can happen include:
1. Corrupt Customs Officials – Officials responsible for collecting tariffs might underreport revenue, accept bribes from importers to reduce duties, or pocket a portion of the funds.
2. Misallocation of Funds – Governments may officially collect tariffs but divert them to unauthorized or fraudulent projects, shell companies, or personal accounts.
3. Falsification of Trade Data – Importers and customs officials might collude to manipulate import values, classify goods under lower-taxed categories, or underreport quantities to reduce tariff obligations.
4. Money Laundering Schemes – Corrupt actors can use tariff revenue as part of larger money laundering operations, disguising the movement of illicit funds.
5. Political Misuse – In some cases, tariff revenue is siphoned into slush funds used for political campaigns, bribery, or maintaining control over government institutions.
To prevent such fraud, governments implement audits, digital tracking, transparency measures, and anti-corruption agencies. However, in countries with weak oversight, tariff revenue can still be misappropriated.