'Tariff Man' Donald Trump Threatens China if Deal Doesn't Work, Internet Explodes With Jokes, Memes
As President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday about negotiations with China, he branded himself a "Tariff Man." It was awkward phrasing and, well, the internet was quick to jump on it.
"The negotiations with China have already started. Unless extended, they will end 90 days from the date of our wonderful and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina," Trump began a series of tweets. He added that "Bob Lighthizer will be working closely with Steve Mnuchin, Larry Kudlow, Wilbur Ross and Peter Navarro on seeing whether or not a REAL deal with China is actually possible.
"If it is," he continued, "we will get it done. China is supposed to start buying Agricultural product and more immediately. President Xi and I want this deal to happen, and it probably will."
Then came the president's denouement.
"But if not remember, I am a Tariff Man. When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so. It will always be the best way to max out our economic power. We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs. MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN.....But if a fair deal is able to be made with China, one that does all of the many things we know must be finally done, I will happily sign. Let the negotiations begin. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
....I am a Tariff Man. When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so. It will always be the best way to max out our economic power. We are right now taking in $billions in Tariffs. MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 4, 2018
The awkward phrasing of Trump's threat—chiefly, "I am a Tariff Man"—led to some funny responses.
Here's a quick collection:
For Fans of There Will Be Blood, This Works Incredibly Well
[Daniel Plainview voice] https://t.co/pJihSlrwRd
— AF (@ArkansasFred) December 4, 2018
Tony Stark Made an Appearance
"I'm just not the hero type. Clearly. With this laundry list of character defects, all the mistakes I've made, largely public. ... The truth is... I am Tariff Man" pic.twitter.com/mCSYbiDAiC
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) December 4, 2018
Howdy
⠀ 🤠
— David Mack (@davidmackau) December 4, 2018
💲💲💲
💲 💲 💲
👇 💲💲 👇
💲 💲
💲 💲
👢 👢
howdy. i'm the Tariff Man https://t.co/dfnMvvX1w6
Trumpford and Sons. (No, That Pun Doesn't Make Any Sense, but Let It Slide)
🎶weep little tariff man,
— Ariel Edwards-Levy (@aedwardslevy) December 4, 2018
you're not as brave as you were at the start
rate yourself and rake yourself,
take all the courage you have left
wasted on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head https://t.co/5esRdrbEqQ
"...Burning Out His Fuse up Here Alone"
Everyone is making the wrong joke the only right one is “Tariff Man, burning out his fuse up here alone” see you don’t even have to do much with it GOD
— Miriam Elder (@MiriamElder) December 4, 2018
RIP
I’m sorry Stan Lee didn’t live long enough to create Tariff Man
— Evan Smith (@evanasmith) December 4, 2018
This Bob Dylan Riff Is Inspired
Heeeyyyy Mr. Tariff Man,
— Victor Brand (@recordedvoice) December 4, 2018
tariff goods for me,
I don't have TPP and there ain't no place I'm shipping to,
HEEEEYYYY Mr. Tariff Man, tariff goods for me,
in the jingle-jangle morning, I'll come borrowing loans... https://t.co/9uewBltZVz
An Inevitable Mash-Up of Memes
Ladies, if he
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) December 4, 2018
- Talks about himself constantly
- Wanders away in the middle of conversations
- Obsesses about trade but doesn't seem to understand it at all
- Makes a fool of himself at the G-20
He's not your man. He's Tariff Man.
And Lastly, Harmonica Enthusiast (and Democratic Virginia Senator) Tim Kaine Jumped In With a Beatles Deep Cut
“Tariff Man” ??
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) December 4, 2018
Reminds me more of The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man”:
He’s as blind as he can be //
Just sees what he wants to see. https://t.co/cLfkxwd0aB
