Republican Senator Exposes Trump: President Absolutely Knows Tariffs Are a Tax on Americans

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) admitted that President Donald Trump is fully aware that his escalating tariff war will raise prices for American consumers—contradicting the White House's repeated claims that tariffs are not tax hikes.

"Tariffs is a tax, and it will be passed on consumers," Mullin told CNN's Kaitlan Collins, acknowledging the financial burden Trump's trade policies place on everyday Americans. However, he defended the approach as essential to a free market. "The president, who is a businessperson, understands that completely," Mullin emphasized.

Contrary to Mullin's claims, Trump and his administration have framed tariffs as a tax on foreign countries rather than American consumers. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Tuesday that "tariffs are a tax cut for the American people"—a claim widely disputed by economists.

Meanwhile, Wall Street has reacted negatively to Trump's erratic trade policies, and international trading partners, including the European Union, are hitting back with retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars worth of U.S. goods.