GOP Wants Trump To Stop Talking

Senate Republicans are growing increasingly uneasy with President Trump’s latest economic messaging, particularly his repeated remarks about Americans needing to buy fewer dolls as prices rise under his tariff policy. While most in the party continue to support the broader agenda, some are privately voicing frustration that Trump’s examples are starting to feel out of touch with the financial realities many Americans face.

In response to growing concerns over the rising costs of goods, Trump has been telling Americans to adjust their expectations suggesting that families should reduce unnecessary spending. He’s cited toys, specifically dolls, multiple times as an example, arguing that children don’t need dozens of them and that it’s reasonable for families to buy fewer in the face of higher prices caused by tariffs.

But not everyone in his party is on board with the tone or the example. One Senate Republican, speaking anonymously, said the messaging misses the mark entirely.

“Everything that we need to do needs to be instructed by people who experienced scarcity, and that’s clearly the words of somebody that’s never experienced scarcity,” the senator said. “It’s not really sensitive to the circumstances of people that are struggling every day.”

The senator added that Trump would benefit from appearing “more relatable” to everyday Americans who are watching prices on essential items rise.

The doll comments originated during a Cabinet meeting last week, with Trump surrounded by some of the wealthiest figures in his administration. Since then, he’s repeated the example at least three more times, reinforcing his belief that Americans can do with less, at least for now.

On Sunday, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One just hours after defending the remarks on “Meet the Press,” Trump doubled down again.

“All I’m saying is that a young lady, a 10-year-old girl, 9-year-old girl, 15-year-old girl, doesn’t need 37 dolls,” he said. “She could be very happy with two or three or four or five.”

The repetition of the example, and the context in which it’s being used, is beginning to worry some in the GOP who fear the president is undercutting his own case for economic resilience with messaging that comes off as detached from the struggles of working families.