Recently, some in the news media and on Wall Street coined the phrase the "TACO Trade"-short for "Trump Always Chickens Out." It's a smug, condescending jab that aims to mock President Trump's negotiating style as indecisive or weak. But like many soundbites crafted by the mainstream media echo chamber, the phrase says more about its creators than its target.
Let's set the record straight.
Labeling his approach as "chickening out" grossly misrepresents his strategic mindset. Trump operates like a seasoned businessman-pushing hard, reading the room, and adjusting to maximize leverage. Walking away from a deal isn't a sign of fear; it's a tactic used by every strong negotiator. Anyone who's ever read The Art of the Deal knows that "no deal is better than a bad deal."
Rather than acknowledge the wins-record job growth, lowered corporate taxes, energy independence, and global peace accords-the media often chooses to spin or ignore these outcomes. Their refusal to recognize successful outcomes isn't journalism. It's sabotage. When a president makes America stronger on the world stage and the press acts like he's shrinking from it, the real cowardice is in the reporting.
Imagine a world where the media called it like it is: "Trump Always Negotiates Great Outcomes." Now that's a trade Wall Street could actually get behind. From market rallies to renegotiated trade deals and a reassertion of American strength abroad, President Trump's policies continue to move the needle-not just for Americans, but for economies around the globe.
About the Author
Michael Malgeri is the founder of On Demand Whatever (ondw.com), where he writes about business, politics, parenting, and culture. After 45 years in technology, business leadership, and advocacy, Michael recently retired and enjoys sharing insights gained from a lifetime of experiences. He likes to say,
"After 45 years, spanning 18 careers, I've made so many friends and had so little tears."
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