Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy launched an impassioned defense of President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning following widespread Democratic mockery over the “TACO” acronym that has gained traction on Wall Street and social media. The term, which stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” originated from Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong in early May to describe Trump’s pattern of backing down from tariff threats when markets react negatively.
During the June 3 broadcast of Fox & Friends, Campos-Duffy characterized Democrats as off-kilter for embracing what she termed a cringey response to Trump’s policies. She referenced Trump’s reaction during an assassination attempt last year, declaring that “he is the bravest man in the world” after his “fight, fight, fight” response demonstrated his courage to the American public.
The controversy began when Wall Street investors started using the TACO acronym to describe trading strategies based on Trump’s tendency to announce aggressive tariff policies, then retreat when stock markets tumble. The term gained broader attention after Trump was asked about it during a White House press conference on May 28, where he responded defensively and called the question nasty.
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California amplified the mockery by posting a TikTok video showing himself eating a taco while a staffer asked about Trump’s pattern of backing down on tariffs. The video prompted strong reactions from multiple Fox News personalities, who criticized the congressman’s social media tactics as inappropriate.
Campos-Duffy, whose husband Sean Duffy serves as Trump’s Transportation Secretary, argued that the TACO nickname represents Democratic propaganda designed to undermine Trump’s image as a courageous leader. She contended that the public recognizes Trump’s bravery, particularly following the Pennsylvania rally incident where he was shot, and suggested that attempts to portray him as cowardly would fail to damage his reputation.
Co-host Brian Kilmeade attributed the controversy to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, claiming the publication was at war with the president over tariff policies. Both the Journal and Fox News operate under the Rupert Murdoch media empire, though the Journal has maintained a more critical stance toward Trump’s trade policies than the cable network.
The TACO term has expanded beyond financial circles, with late-night television hosts and social media influencers creating memes and content mocking Trump’s approach to trade negotiations. Democrats have seized on the acronym as evidence of Trump’s inconsistent policy implementation, particularly regarding his campaign promises about aggressive tariff enforcement.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, appearing as a Fox News contributor, rejected the characterization of Trump as someone who caves under pressure. He cited Trump’s endurance through various investigations and legal challenges as evidence of his resilience, arguing that critics who view him as weak fail to recognize his consistent ability to prevail in difficult situations.
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld attempted to diminish the effectiveness of the TACO insult by noting that Americans generally enjoy tacos, suggesting this cultural affinity would prevent the nickname from gaining traction. Other network personalities similarly dismissed the Democratic strategy as ineffective and lacking substance.
The Democratic National Committee has reportedly commissioned a taco truck to serve free food outside the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, further extending the political theater surrounding the acronym. This promotional stunt represents the party’s effort to capitalize on what they perceive as a weakness in Trump’s negotiating strategy.
According to CNN reporting, Trump initially misunderstood the reporter’s question about the TACO acronym, believing she was suggesting he would “kick out” rather than “chicken out.” Senior White House officials indicated that Trump was frustrated not only by the term itself but also by his staff’s failure to inform him about its growing popularity in financial and political circles.
The controversy highlights the intersection of financial markets and political messaging, as Wall Street’s adoption of the TACO trading strategy has provided Democrats with ammunition for their criticism of Trump’s economic policies. The acronym’s viral spread demonstrates how financial terminology can quickly evolve into broader political discourse, particularly when it touches on perceived weaknesses in presidential leadership.
