By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In essence, the seemingly contradictory stance of NIH head Jay Bhattacharya, a proponent of academic freedom, is complicated by his involvement in a new journal, the Journal of the Academy of Public Health, alongside FDA chief Marty Makary. This journal, while aesthetically well-designed, has raised concerns due to its publication of primarily contrarian viewpoints on COVID-19, lacking representation of widely accepted epidemiological consensus. Both Bhattacharya and Makary are listed as on leave from the journal, adding to the controversy. Critics argue this undermines the claimed support for academic freedom, suggesting a potential conflict of interest and a platform for misinformation.
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The nickname “TACO,” or “Trump Always Chickens Out,” perfectly encapsulates a recurring pattern in Donald Trump’s business dealings, a pattern that’s finally catching the attention of Wall Street investors. It’s a rather embarrassing moniker, highlighting a strategic approach that’s less about consistent policy and more about creating dramatic pronouncements followed by retreats.
This isn’t some recent revelation, however. Anyone paying attention to Trump’s career for any length of time has already seen this pattern play out countless times. His history is rife with instances of bold pronouncements, aggressive posturing, and ultimately, a backing down from his initial stance. The surprise isn’t the behavior itself, but the apparent delayed recognition of it amongst some financial players. What took them so long?
The TACO strategy, as some are now calling it, seems to be a predictable cycle. First, a dramatic tariff announcement is made, causing market fluctuations. Then, investors can capitalize on this initial disruption, purchasing assets anticipating Trump’s inevitable backpedaling. Once the backdown happens, investors sell, profiting from the resulting market shifts. It’s a calculated risk, leveraging Trump’s well-documented tendency to ultimately avoid confrontation.
Some find this whole situation darkly humorous, coining phrases like “Taco Tuesday” and dreaming up Trump-branded taco-themed merchandise. There’s a sense of irony in the fact that the man who promised a “taco truck on every corner” might be more accurately described as having a “TACO on every trade deal.” These lighthearted comments underscore the incredulity that such a predictable pattern hasn’t been fully grasped until now.
Beyond the amusement, though, there’s a more serious concern. This isn’t just a game for investors; it’s about real-world economic consequences. Trump’s unpredictable trade policies create instability and uncertainty, which negatively impact businesses and consumers. The fact that some investors are actively profiting from his inconsistencies only highlights the damage his actions cause. His erratic behavior, whether deliberate or a result of incompetence, creates risks and uncertainty that harm the very economy he is ostensibly trying to lead.
The longer it took investors to recognize this pattern, the longer they, and the rest of us, were vulnerable to the harmful consequences of Trump’s approach. The “TACO” strategy, while a clever trading approach for some, is a symptom of a much deeper problem: a lack of transparency and consistency in policy making. It represents a fundamental unpredictability that undermines any efforts towards stable economic growth.
The amusement, the nicknames, the merchandise – they’re all distractions from the real issue. This isn’t just about a catchy acronym or a funny meme; it’s about the instability and uncertainty Trump’s actions create in the global economy, a situation that extends far beyond the immediate gains of those who’ve figured out how to profit from his indecisiveness. The fact that it’s taken this long for this pattern to be widely acknowledged is in itself a telling commentary on how Trump’s presidency has been perceived and managed.
Perhaps the biggest irony is that a nickname intended as a critique, a label highlighting Trump’s weakness, might inadvertently embolden him. Being the subject of ridicule can be a powerful motivator, even for someone as seemingly impervious to criticism as Trump. So, the playful mockery of “TACO” could ironically become a factor in Trump’s future decisions, potentially leading him to act against his typical tendencies. Whether this results in more unpredictable economic chaos or a grudging adherence to his initially stated positions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the implications reach far beyond the initial amusement at Trump’s apparent lack of consistent business acumen. The “TACO” phenomenon serves as a stark reminder of the broader consequences that result from consistently erratic behavior in a position of power.