By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump announced letters would be sent to countries, warning of tariff reinstatement if trade deals aren’t finalized. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that tariffs would take effect on August 1st, while the president sets the rates. This announcement pushes back the original July 9th deadline, with tariffs potentially ranging from 10 to 70 percent, as previously announced. Trump also threatened additional tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the trade war.
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Howard Lutnick Steps in After Trump Appears Clueless on Latest Tariff Drama
It seems like we’re back in the thick of it with the tariff drama, and the reports suggest that Donald Trump, bless his heart, is once again appearing to be…well, let’s just say a bit out of touch. It’s the kind of scenario that leads to head-scratching and the inevitable question of who’s really pulling the strings. And wouldn’t you know it, in steps Howard Lutnick.
The recurring theme seems to be that Trump is on autopilot, struggling to grasp the details while someone else is orchestrating the moves behind the scenes. Remember Trump’s promise to have tariffs “done” by a specific date? It appears that date came and went without much fanfare, and now there’s a sense of confusion regarding the whole plan. Trump’s response, which included phrases like “the tariffs are going to be the tariffs,” paints a picture of someone either genuinely clueless or intentionally vague.
The most striking part of this is the perception that Trump doesn’t possess a clear understanding of the very policies he’s supposedly championing. When he can’t answer basic questions about economics without help, it raises serious concerns about his grasp of complex issues. The whole situation is eerily reminiscent of a sketch where someone’s being spoon-fed lines and pretending to know what they’re talking about.
The narrative now is that Trump is just a mouth piece, influenced by figures like Russel Vought and his Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation. This group reportedly seeks to dismantle significant aspects of American society. It paints a disturbing picture where the agenda is being driven by others. This further fuels the idea that Trump is simply reading from a script and doesn’t fully comprehend the implications of his actions.
Trump seems to have a devoted, even obsequious, supporter in Howard Lutnick. Lutnick, it’s suggested, is eager to flatter Trump, amplify his pronouncements, and smooth over any rough edges. This dynamic is further fueled by Trump’s alleged dependence on flattery. Lutnick’s role, whether deliberate or not, becomes that of an enabler, who seemingly rescues Trump in moments of confusion.
The details of the tariff announcement—which seemed to involve Trump posting on Truth Social and perhaps dropping off letters at a mailbox—further underscore the disarray. The lack of clarity regarding even basic logistical aspects of policy implementation raises questions about who is really running the show. It’s almost as if Trump is a figurehead, and his handlers are content to let him ramble and rant while they quietly pursue their own goals.
The situation evokes comparisons to the post-stroke presidency of Woodrow Wilson, where those around him effectively governed. The implication is that Trump’s advisors are acting as proxies, making decisions and shaping policy while he appears to be disengaged. The scenario is made more alarming because the country is running the risk of repeating itself.
The underlying concern here is that Trump is not merely ignorant, but also a puppet, a mouthpiece used to implement someone else’s agenda. The focus on tariffs becomes just another example of a larger pattern of manipulation and control.
The suggestion that Trump’s latest public appearances have him sounding as though he is unaware of the situation he’s involved in. This reinforces the perception of a leader who is out of touch and dependent on others.
The idea that the news headlines would read “Trump screwing up America, not for personal gain but because people behind the scenes are telling him too and he is so narcissistic, all they have to do is say he’s going to be praised and he’ll sign off on anything” paints a stark picture. It suggests that Trump’s vanity and ego are being exploited by advisors.