Trump Reacts Strongly After Reporter Uses Wall Street Nickname During Press Conference
President Donald Trump, known for his direct and sometimes combative style with the media, faced a surprising moment during a White House press conference on May 28. Reporter Megan Casella of CNBC asked Trump about a new nickname circulating on Wall Street: T.A.C.O., which stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
The nickname, coined by Financial Times journalist Robert Armstrong, references Trump’s pattern of making aggressive tariff threats only to later delay or reduce them. For example, Trump recently postponed a planned 50% tariff on European Union imports and paused a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, moves that helped ease market concerns.
When Casella posed the question, Trump appeared taken aback. “I kick out?” he asked, clearly unfamiliar with the phrase. After Casella explained, Trump responded firmly: “I’ve never heard that. You ask a nasty question like that. It’s called negotiation.”
Trump explained that setting high tariffs initially was part of the negotiation process, saying, “If I set a number at a ridiculous high, I go down a little bit. They want me to hold that number… but don’t ever say what you said. That’s a nasty question.”
He also emphasized his perspective on the country’s progress, adding, “Six months ago, this country was stone-cold dead. We had a country, people didn’t think it was gonna survive. And you ask a nasty question like that?”
This exchange is just one example of Trump’s sometimes tense interactions with the media. Earlier in May, during a Capitol Hill event, he responded sharply to a reporter’s question about legislative support, telling the journalist, “Get yourself a real job,” before walking away.
As Trump continues his second term with bold policy moves and high-profile announcements, his confrontations with reporters remain a focal point for observers and media alike.
