The Trump administration nearly had a civil war. The weak-stomach allies were about to jump ship.
And now Kellyanne Conway has put Trump’s fair-weather friends on notice with this hot reality check on Fox News.
Kellyanne Conway Defends Trump’s Visionary Tariff Strategy Against Elite Skeptics
Kellyanne Conway, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, took to Fox Business on Tuesday to deliver a fiery defense of his tariff policies, directly addressing business elites and free-market conservatives who feared economic disaster. Speaking on Kudlow, Conway dismissed the naysayers who predicted market chaos, emphasizing the Trump administration’s steady progress in reshaping global trade to favor American interests. Her remarks come as Trump’s economic agenda gains momentum, with tariffs serving as a cornerstone to revitalize domestic manufacturing and strengthen national prosperity.
On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that the United States has made significant strides in trade negotiations with China, marking the first substantive talks since Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on several nations in April. These tariffs, designed to level the playing field, sparked initial volatility that rattled Wall Street and drew criticism from some of Trump’s own supporters. Conway, undeterred, called out the skeptics, including those within the Republican fold, for their lack of faith in Trump’s long-term vision.
“Part of his delegation just left Saudi to go to Turkey to try to get peace with Ukraine and Russia. He’s doing all things at once. And Larry, it wasn’t just the Democrats who pushed back on President Trump and predicted gloom and doom,” Conway told Larry Kudlow. “May I just say, a lot of those were free market friends. A lot of those were people who voted for Trump. A lot of those were people who gave a million dollars to, you know, cozy up to him at the inauguration.”
While some elites wavered, Conway praised the resilience of working-class Americans who backed Trump’s bold strategy. She contrasted the skepticism of the wealthy with the trust shown by everyday citizens—welders, carpenters, mechanics, hairdressers, and others—who saw Trump’s tariffs as a necessary step to rebuild an economy gutted by decades of globalist policies.
“And all he said was ‘Be patient. There’s going to be a little bit of pain for long-term gain.’ You know who gave President Trump space and grace? The people. The welders, the carpenters, the mechanics, the hairdressers, the folks who manicure your nails and your lawns,” Conway said. “They said ‘You know what? He’s going to rebuild this economy so it works for all of us. And that’s going to take time because, let’s face it, it took decades of globalization and our wealth and our jobs being shipped legally overseas to get us into this mess.’”
Trump’s current Middle East tour just goes to show his commitment to forging robust economic alliances to complement his domestic agenda. Visiting Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, the president aims to secure major investments and strategic partnerships that bolster American influence and economic security. These efforts align with his tariff strategy, which seeks to incentivize manufacturing at home while strengthening ties with key Gulf allies. The administration views these moves as critical to countering China’s global economic dominance and restoring America’s industrial might.
Conway’s remarks also served as a sharp rebuke to those who doubted Trump’s ability to navigate short-term market fluctuations. She pointed out the failures of the previous administration, which saw rampant inflation without the excuse of tariffs. “Here’s my message to all the chicken littles. The sky was falling and all the little chickens who couldn’t take a risk along with President Trump. And here’s the other thing that a lot of people will tell you, Larry, that we had inflation all four years of Biden-Harris, and we didn’t have these tariffs,” Conway said. “We had gas and groceries up, up, up all four years. That became a leading early indicator of the failure that was the Biden economy. And then you look at what they did with fossil fuels. Then you look at what they did with the border.”
On immigration, Conway slammed Democrats for their persistent attacks on Trump, despite his administration’s success in drastically reducing illegal border crossings. She argued that Trump’s policies have restored order and security, making the border a non-issue for most Americans. “And why the Democrats, Larry, are now still attacking Donald Trump on the border. His signature top issue in everybody’s polling where the border is closed, the crossings are way down. And they insist on going to Newark and protesting instead of going to Newark Airport and doing what our Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is doing and saying ‘Look in our backyard here in Newark. We want to make sure that it’s safe and efficient travel for all [and] that we have confidence in the competence of the system,’” Conway added.
The mention of Newark Liberty International Airport referenced a recent radar and communications outage that raised concerns about aviation safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded swiftly, unveiling a comprehensive plan to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. This initiative aims to reduce delays, enhance flight safety, and restore public confidence in air travel—a practical example of the Trump administration’s focus on tangible results over empty rhetoric.
Conway’s appearance on Fox Business was obviously geared towards the fair-weather Trump supporters, urging them to trust his unconventional approach to trade and economic policy. She framed tariffs not as a reckless gamble but as a calculated move to undo years of economic mismanagement. By prioritizing American workers and industries, Trump’s strategy seeks to create a more self-reliant economy that benefits all citizens, not just the elite.
The administration’s early successes, from trade talks with China to historic Middle East partnerships, suggest that Trump’s gamble may be paying off. Conway’s message was clear: those who doubted Trump underestimated his ability to deliver. As the president continues to push his agenda, his supporters—both in the heartland and among his inner circle—remain confident that his policies will usher in a new era of American prosperity.
