Former President Donald Trump found himself in the middle of another media firestorm following a tense exchange during a White House press briefing on May 28. The moment, which quickly went viral online, unfolded when CNBC reporter Megan Casella referenced a nickname gaining traction on Wall Street—T.A.C.O., short for “Trump Always Chickens Out.” The term was first coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong, poking fun at what some traders view as Trump’s pattern of making bold tariff threats only to later back down.
When Casella brought the phrase up during the briefing, she asked, “They’re saying ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’ on the tariff threats and that’s why markets are higher this week. What’s your response to that?” Trump appeared caught off guard, mishearing the phrase at first as “kick out.” When Casella clarified that it was “chicken out,” his mood shifted instantly. His expression hardened, and what followed was a sharp and defensive rant.
“I’ve never heard that,” Trump snapped. “You ask a nasty question like that. It’s called negotiation. You set a number… I set it high, I adjust. That’s strategy. 145% tariff.” He went on to argue that his approach had revived the economy, saying, “Six months ago, this country was stone-cold dead. And you ask a nasty question like that?”
Trump repeated his outrage several times, even pointing at Casella as he said, “Don’t ever say what you said. That’s a nasty question.”
The incident fueled even more chatter online, with “T.A.C.O.” trending on social media platforms by the end of the day. While critics mocked the president for reacting so strongly to a satirical label, supporters accused the press of baiting him with disrespectful questions.
This wasn’t an isolated outburst. Just a week earlier, Trump had another contentious exchange with a reporter from nonprofit outlet NOTUS. When asked about criticism from Republican Congressman Andy Harris over a recent spending bill, Trump shot back dismissively, “Who? I don’t even know what the hell that is. Get yourself a real job.”
For those who once believed a second Trump term might come with a more measured tone, recent events suggest otherwise. The president’s thin-skinned reactions to even mild criticism appear more intense than ever. His administration’s policies continue to stir economic uncertainty, and the press corps remains on high alert for every unscripted moment.
Whether Trump will directly address the T.A.C.O. moniker again remains to be seen, but his visceral response has already ensured its place in the political conversation. The label may have started as a Wall Street joke, but it has now become a symbol of a presidency that continues to divide, inflame, and dominate headlines with every unscripted reaction.