(NewsNation) — During NewsNation’s town hall examining President Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term, the president defended his controversial tariff strategy, arguing the measures put America “in the catbird seat” for international trade negotiations despite concerns about their economic impact.
The economy took center stage during the town hall hosted by Chris Cuomo, with panelists including Bill O’Reilly, Stephen A. Smith and political strategists from both parties.
Trump’s administration is confronting worries about a potential recession after a first-quarter report showed a 0.3% drop in GDP. A NewsNation/DDHQ poll found that a large majority of U.S. voters — 82% — are worried about a potential recession under the Trump administration.
“I’ll be able to convince people how good this is. This is what other countries have done to us. We have been ripped off by other countries,” Trump said when questioned about potential economic fallout from the tariffs.
Trump: US in ‘transition’ period to rebalance trade
The president acknowledged the tariffs could affect Republican chances in upcoming midterm elections but insisted he was “willing to be the one that has to” make permanent changes regarding U.S. trade policy.
When pressed by O’Reilly about stock market reactions to his trade policies, Trump was dismissive, saying the market “can wait two weeks” and emphasized that other countries “need us” more than the reverse.
“We’re in a great position of strength,” the president claimed, citing ongoing negotiations with South Korea, Japan and India.
Trump repeatedly emphasized flexibility in his approach to tariffs, pointing to adjustments he’s already made for auto manufacturers who told him they couldn’t immediately move all production to the United States: “You have to be able to dodge and move and be flexible.”
Tariff deals with India, Japan, South Korea in the works: Trump
Trump promises no change to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
The president also firmly denied any plans to cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, stating, “We’re doing absolutely nothing to hurt” those program. He did, however, claim many immigrants in the country are illegally benefiting from Medicaid.
Business perspectives at the town hall were divided. Entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David supported Trump’s approach to China, warning, “we can never lose the level of paranoia with China.” Meanwhile, podcast host Mark Mendenhall said he was willing to let the president’s trade strategies play out despite daily reports of adverse effects.
When asked about the biggest mistake of his first 100 days, Trump replied it was “the toughest question” because “I do not really believe I have made any mistakes.”
Trump calls himself a ‘great unifier’
RFK Jr. streamlining, recalibrating HHS’s trajectory
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also joined the town hall, saying that despite the more than 800 measles cases in the country, the United States has been doing better with the disease than other countries. Kennedy has been criticized for talking out of both sides of his mouth regarding vaccines.
Kennedy says there are other illnesses, besides measles, that pose a threat to young Americans.
Smith asked how slashing 20,000 jobs in his agency will help, Kennedy said HHS will be streamlined. The agency was filled with redundancies, he said.
Kennedy says that Americans got sicker after the Biden administration grew the federal agency by 38%. After slashing jobs inside the agency, Kennedy said the streamlined HHS will focus on ending the nation’s issue with chronic illness.
Trump: I’d love to see Stephen A. Smith run for president
Strategists and politicians debate effectiveness of Trump’s policies
Democratic strategist James Carville criticized Trump’s rapid-fire claims during the town hall, saying the president was “speaking 200 words a minute with gusts up to 350 words a minute.” Carville also said that Trump had abandoned an initiative for the U.S. to join Pacific nations that were economically unifying against China.
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, appearing remotely, defended the president’s economic approach, arguing middle-class Americans would benefit from Trump’s trade initiatives while accusing Democrats of catering to billionaires.
Ronna McDaniel, former RNC chair, and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu predicted Trump will eventually raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans to provide relief to the middle class that supported him in the election.
Former Ohio state legislator Nina Turner said some people can’t wait for the results Trump promises.
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., sparred over Trump’s handling of the economy.. Auchincloss hammered the administration over tariffs and stock market turmoil while McCormick encouraged Americans to give Trump time.
