Tariff CHAOS: Trump’s Trade War Tanks Economy; Feud Between Musk & White House Grows
The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 83
Today's top stories in U.S. news, politics, government, and world affairs:
Segment 1: Market Mayhem & Trump’s Tariff Gamble
The markets are in free fall after President Trump’s shocking decision to double down on tariffs. With threats of a 50% tariff hike on Chinese imports and no signs of a pause, the S&P teeters near bear-market territory and the Nasdaq has already plunged into one. In just two days, U.S. stocks lost a staggering $6.6 trillion in value—surpassing COVID-era crashes and marking the worst three-day slide since the Great Depression.
Top economists and conservatives alike are sounding the alarm:
Jamie Dimon warns of major global disruption.
Bill Ackman begs for a 90-day tariff pause.
Sen. Rand Paul predicts a Democratic landslide if this continues.
Trump's team calls critics “panicans,” but history is not on his side—economists say this is the largest tax increase since 1968 and the biggest tariff surge since Smoot-Hawley in 1930. We break down how this affects everyone—from retirees to teachers to everyday consumers—and ask the key question: Is Trump’s bet on bringing back U.S. manufacturing doomed to fail—again?
Segment 2: Trump vs. Musk – The Rift Deepens
The bromance is breaking. Elon Musk, once the crown jewel of Trump’s innovation push, is publicly clashing with the White House over tariffs and economic policy.
Musk’s viral post featuring Milton Friedman was a clear swipe at Trump’s protectionist approach.
He’s called out Peter Navarro, questioned the wisdom of the administration’s economic team, and is increasingly being seen by GOP insiders as a political liability.
Meanwhile, Trump appears to be quietly pushing Musk out of his inner circle, as ethics concerns and backchannel meetings with the Pentagon stir fears about conflicts of interest with China.
Will the GOP stick with Musk—or is the tech mogul becoming too controversial, even for Trump’s MAGA machine?
Segment 3: Democrats Roar Back with Nationwide Protests
Are Democrats finally regaining their momentum? This week, more than 1,400 “Hands Off!” protests erupted nationwide—from federal buildings to city parks.
Their message? End the Trump administration’s corruption, protect Social Security and Medicaid, and stand up for vulnerable communities.
This new energy recalls the resistance of Trump’s early presidency—echoes of the Women’s March, the Muslim Ban protests, and the post-Jan 6th mobilization.
And it’s showing results:
Big wins in Wisconsin and Florida
Boosted recruitment in battleground districts
Dems riding a wave of public backlash against Trump’s policies, Musk’s DOGE cuts, and proposed social service rollbacks.
Is this a realignment moment for 2026—and can Dems win back the House from Republicans?
Segment 4: Colorado’s Trans Bill Sparks National Firestorm
A bill in Colorado is drawing intense backlash for going further than ever before. It proposes that “misgendering” or “deadnaming” a child could be considered a form of child abuse or “coercive control”—potentially allowing the state to strip parents of custody if they don’t affirm a child’s chosen gender identity.
Critics say the bill is anti-parent, anti-free speech, and a massive political mistake.
Even those who support trans rights are calling this a bridge too far. Democrats risk alienating the political middle and energizing the right if they continue to embrace positions seen as extreme by the broader public.
Josh breaks down how this kind of overreach could cost the left big—especially in key swing states—and why parental rights may become a defining issue of the next election cycle.