
President Donald Trump on Sunday attacked business leaders who are critical of his tariffs ― which is a large portion of business leaders ― as “bad at business.”
And he declared himself the “greatest friend” of capitalism.
But that led to some quick reminders about the president’s own decidedly mixed background as a businessman, including bankruptcies for some of his companies.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social website:

Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs and other trade war policies have caused stocks to plunge, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing nearly 5,000 points since he took office.
There’s also been a dramatic sell-off of the U.S. dollar.
Some have predicted a recession ― or worse ― as a result of Trump’s policies.
Critics were quick to point out all that and more, including Trump’s own track record in business:
Unhinged pic.twitter.com/Hts8qq8RtP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 20, 2025
Ah yes, Mr. Six-Time Bankruptcy is here to lecture actual businesspeople—who correctly understand that tariffs will crush their businesses and raise prices for consumers—that they are the ones bad at business. pic.twitter.com/xPGtDMjmTw
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 20, 2025
The man who has filed bankruptcy multiple times is telling over 60% of America's CEOs they are bad at business.
Lol classic. pic.twitter.com/SJXbctaBpk
— Boston Smalls (@smalls2672) April 21, 2025
I guess pretty much all businessmen are bad at business. https://t.co/mHd7turXiL
— Frank J. Fleming (@IMAO_) April 20, 2025
The only responsible behavior of big US businessmen is to gang up & protest collectively against Trump's mad tariffs.
— Anders Åslund (@anders_aslund) April 20, 2025
They do understand that Trump is seriously harming their companies & the whole US economy & they are responsible to their stakeholders. https://t.co/4BxT89STAq
I avoid financial tips from bankrupt individuals.
— BLOCKXS.COM (@blockxs) April 20, 2025
How good a businessman is Donald Trump?
— James Pethokoukis ⏩️⤴️ (@JimPethokoukis) April 20, 2025
"Trump has great wealth, much of it made well over a decade ago from a few buildings he has retained in Manhattan, including his favourite on Fifth Avenue. But he has not yet created a great company, raised permanent capital on public… https://t.co/ICuhZH1ysN
Mad emperor sails ever-further into Fantasyland. https://t.co/cb88gJja1K
— Maggie McNeill (@Maggie_McNeill) April 21, 2025
You bankrupted a casino. https://t.co/RJozsplIlW
— Ryan New (@TheNewStyle101) April 20, 2025
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