President Donald Trump revels in the populism and nationalist rhetoric that riles up his base.
This was evident on Wednesday.
“This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in America’s history. It’s our declaration of economic independence. My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day,” Trump said as he announced tariffs that are essentially taxes that amount to at least 10% that will be tacked on to the cost of most foreign-made goods.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2025
The stock market responded with back-to-back days of drastic losses, and the Dow closed down 5.5% (-2,231.07) Friday after a plunge of 2,200 points on Thursday. It was the worst week for world markets since 2020 and the covid-19 pandemic.
China retaliated with a 34% tariff on imports of all U.S. products.
Everything from crude oil to Big Tech stocks to the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies has fallen. Even gold, a traditional safe haven that recently hit record highs, pulled lower, and economists say there’s a risk of a potentially toxic mix of weakening economic growth and higher inflation.
The Associated Press reported that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggested Friday interest rates will remain unchanged because the tariffs and their likely economic and inflationary impacts are “significantly larger than expected” and are “highly likely” to lead to “at least a temporary rise in inflation.” Trump then sought to pressure the independent agency with a social media post saying: “CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!”
Promises kept
The tariffs were among the promises Trump has made good on during the more than 1,800 hours he’s been in office in his second term as president. He has entertained the notion there’s a possibility of a third term despite the 22nd Amendment, which put the two-term limit in place after Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s nearly four-term marathon that began during the Great Depression and ended before World War II was won.
As of Sunday, Trump has served 76 days in office — not quite the 100-day mark that’s a traditional barometer — but it’s a number that strikes a patriotic tone reminiscent of 1776, when the first Declaration of Independence was signed.
Through Friday, Trump had issued 21 executive orders, released four presidential memoranda, made three proclamations and put out 91 fact sheets that are listed as among his official actions on the White House website.
Related:
• All of the Trump Administration’s Major Moves
• The First 100 Days
• U.S. Government Information: Trump Trackers
‘Things needed to change’
The moves have been greeted favorably by Trump supporters in Western Pennsylvania. These supporters told TribLive they’re excited about the first months of the administration and are looking forward to more in the coming three years or so.
“I know it takes more than 100 days for things to happen. I do still support him,” said Jamie Henderson, a 55-year-old Greensburg barber who lives in Slickville.
Many of his customers are also Trump supporters, and the talk at Comrades Barbershop is mainly positive, Henderson told TribLive.
He’s heard from teachers who said they support dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and oil and gas workers who support Trump’s energy policies, Henderson said.
“Things needed to change,” he said.
Bob Cieszynski, 76, of Harrison agreed.
“I think he’s doing a tremendous job,” Cieszynski said.
He supports Trump’s policies to strengthen the border and deport those who are in the country illegally. He also supports the tariffs and other economic moves, Cieszynski said.
Any dissatisfaction stems from court decisions that have slowed or reversed Trump’s moves, Cieszynski said.
“Let him do what he was elected to do, and that is to bring our country back,” he said.
Ciesznyski predicted that Trump’s stance on tariffs will hurt for a little bit but ultimately will spur the economy, create more American jobs and get the United States back to being a leading manufacturer.
“In the long run, it’s going to benefit the American people,” he said.
Jon Jones, 57, of Penn Township said he wishes Trump were clearer in explaining his actions.
“When he tells people, ‘I’m throwing a tariff on Canadian goods,’ people panic and wonder why,” Jones said. “You have to look at the long-term effects of this type of strategy,” Jones said. “Instead of paying the tariffs, he wants companies to bring their manufacturing here. And if he would explain that to people better, I think it would be easier for people to see what he wants to do.”
Featured Local Businesses
Thad Paunovich, 31, of Delmont was about 15 rows behind Trump during an assassination attempt at the rally in Butler Township last July 13.
He remains a supporter.
“I think he’s firing on all cylinders and gotten a lot done in terms of the border, getting men out of women’s sports, and I’ve enjoyed the deportations so far for illegal immigrants,” Paunovich said.
‘All about the tariffs’
Belle Vernon chiropractor Dana Anden said she can’t wait to read the news every morning.
Scouring the headlines, she searches for the latest information on the Trump administration. Under former President Joe Biden’s guidance, Anden feared the country was headed in a downward spiral.
“I’m very excited for the way the Trump administration is handling the country,” she said. “As far as the changes in the government, I feel like he’s definitely working hard for our country, where the last administration seemed like they were sleeping at the wheel and not really paying attention.”
The tariffs will bring business back to the U.S., Anden said.
“I’m all about the tariffs. It’ll bring work back to our country,” she said. “I really feel the American people will do a much better job, make better products, make safer products.”
Hempfield resident Philip Manns, 81, said he remains enthusiastic about the second Trump presidency.
“I can’t understand how people could be against most of the things he’s doing. I really can’t,” he said. “It’s good for the country as far as I’m concerned, and I’m happy he’s doing 99% of it.”
Manns, however, said he is wary of the flurry of executive orders Trump has used to make many of his moves.
“I’m not blaming him for them because other presidents have done it, but how did they get the authority to do that?” he said. “I’m happy with the orders he’s issued, but I’m not sure why that should be allowed. It should all go through the Senate and the House.”
Manns also expressed concerns about Trump’s public speaking style.
“Sometimes I wish Trump would be a little less vocal about things,” he said, “but that’s his character, and it’s hard to get away from that. He likes to say what’s on his mind.”
Sean Conner, 46, of Rostraver also supports Trump, but he’s not a die-hard Republican.
He twice voted for former President George W. Bush, a move he said he regrets. He also voted twice for former President Barack Obama and supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 before changing his political affiliation from Democrat to Republican shortly after Trump began his first term in office.
“I like that you can believe what the guy says,” Conner said.
Stoking the base
Political scientists of the next century will have a lot to study when they look back on the Trump era, Nathan Shrader said.
Shrader, a North Huntingdon native, is a 1999 graduate of Norwin High School. He’s an associate professor of political science and co-director of the Center for Civic Engagement at New England College in Henniker, N.H.
Trump has upended political norms since he was a candidate, and he’s courted a base of supporters who have evolved to exhibit cult-like behavior, Shrader said.
“I think he could pretty much do anything and he would maintain his entire base,” Shrader said.
Trump’s continued support isn’t unexpected, Grove City College political science professor Michael Coulter told TribLive.
It’s also unusual for people who regret their choice to admit it, Coulter said.
As Trump’s term continues, the telling part will be whether supporters’ maintain their enthusiasm for Trump’s policies, especially those affecting the economy.
“Voters are very sensitive to price,” Coulter said.
TribLive staff writers Quincey Reese, Kellen Stepler and Patrick Varine contributed reporting for this story.