The “chosen one” just chose poorly

| 7:45 pm EDT August 23, 2019
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Donald Trump’s 2020 poll numbers are already historically bad for an incumbent, and are continuing to drop. It’s not difficult to figure out why: a certain percentage of voters are willing to stick with Trump, and all his numerous horrid failings and scandals, as long as the economy holds up. Now that it’s perceived to be tanking, Trump is in deeper electoral trouble than ever.

For that matter, everyone knows why the economy is tanking. Democrats know it. Republicans know it. Independents know it. Wall Street investors know it. Donald Trump’s own handpicked Fed Chair Jay Powell just publicly acknowledged it. Trump’s trade war with China and other nations has been a complete bust, with consequences that have been catastrophic for the U.S. economy.

So what is Donald Trump doing about it? After the stock market closed down by more than 600 points today, Trump announced that he’s placing even more tariffs on Chinese goods. This is what got Trump in economic trouble in the first place, but instead of retreating from his mistake, he’s doubling down on it.

It’s now clear that Donald Trump cares more about spiting China and refusing to admit he made a mistake, than he does about saving the economy and salvaging his 2020 prospects. Earlier this week Trump looked to the sky and claimed he’s the “chosen one” when it comes to his trade war. Trump just chose poorly.