Who Are The Conservative Influencers Now Questioning Trump Over Tariffs

Several conservative influencers are breaking with President Donald Trump over his tariffs, which are upending the global economy and roiling markets.

Among them are some of the top voices in the MAGA world, including Ben Shapiro and Dave Portnoy. They are joining some Wall Street titans who have supported Trump and a growing number of GOP lawmakers, some of whom are even considering joining a bill aimed at restricting the White House's ability to impose tariffs unilaterally.

Ben Shapiro questioned the tariffs on the "All-In" podcast that he saw "contradictory" claims about the tariffs' goals. He also criticized the way they were implemented, saying "the way the tariff plan was rolled out is about as bad a rollout as you could do."

Shapiro stepped up criticism on Monday, telling his millions of subscribers that the "idea that this is inherently good and makes the American economy strong is wrongheaded." "It's untrue. The idea that it is going to result in massive reshoring of manufacturing is also untrue," he added.

Portnoy, on his end, said on Monday he had lost about 15% of his net worth, or about $20 million, since markets began to plummet as a result of the tariffs. "Welcome to Orange Monday," he said on his "Davey Day Trader" livestream. And even though he said he plans to continue supporting Trump for now, he said his patience is not eternal: "I'm going to roll with him for a couple days, a couple weeks, see how this pans out."

They are far from being the only ones in the conservative world questioning the strategy. Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman, who strongly backed Trump in the presidential election, has been doing so as well, calling for a 90-day pause to allow for negotiations. Should agreements not be reached, he warned, the world will enter a "self-induced economic nuclear winter."

In Congress, Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned a Trump official on Tuesday that he is extremely skeptical of the administration's tariff policy, asking him "whose throat do I get to choke" if it ends up going south.

"I'm not condemning the approach because I'm not a trade expert. If you own this decision I look to you to figure out if we're going to be successful. If you don't own the decision, I'm just trying to figure out whose throat I get to choke if it's wrong and who do I put up in a platform and thank for their noble approach if they're right," Tillis asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a Senate hearing.

In the Lower House, at least a dozen Republicans are considering joining Rep. Don Bacon's bill to restrict the White House's ability to impose tariffs unilaterally, Axios reported. The bill would mirror another one introduced by GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley, which would have tariffs expire if they are not confirmed by Congress after 60 days.