CNN has been wrong before.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins recently took aim at President Donald Trump’s claim that tariffs would make small business owners “much richer,” dismissing his assertion by pointing out that “tariffs are taxes.” She also pointed out the uncertainty surrounding how his trade policies could have such a positive impact on small businesses.
As the stock market continues to experience turbulence, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunging over a thousand points, Trump’s trade policies are being scrutinized. Concerns about a potential recession have heightened, and the market’s volatility only adds to the unease. While Trump continues to defend his tariffs, the economic signs don’t seem to be reassuring many investors or business owners.
Despite the market downturn, Trump remained adamant in promoting tariffs as the solution during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. His position? Tariffs are essential to “leveling the playing field” and creating a fairer trade environment. However, for many, this rhetoric fails to explain how businesses—especially small ones—will benefit from these measures.
On CNN’s The Source, Collins highlighted the growing divide between the White House’s optimistic tone and the mounting concerns on Wall Street. While Vice President JD Vance remained upbeat, emphasizing that reshoring supply chains and encouraging American investment would strengthen the economy, the market’s response tells a different story. The S&P 500 has already entered correction territory, down 10 percent from its recent high, signaling a broader unease about the future.
When asked about the concerns of American small business owners, Trump insisted that tariffs would make them “so much richer,” though this claim raises doubts. Tariffs are, by definition, taxes, and they often result in higher prices for consumers, leaving business owners with little to gain. The logic behind Trump’s assertion remains unclear, and many are left wondering how these policies will ultimately play out for small businesses across the country.