Fox Reporter Straight Up Asks Karoline Leavitt If Trump Should Tell Americans Things ‘might Be Bad For A Little While’

Fox News’s Jacqui Heinrich asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt if President Donald Trump should tell Americans they’re in for “short-term economic pain.”

Markets have been roiled by Trump’s tariffs-on, tariffs-off approach to trade policy vis-à-vis Canada and Mexico, the two largest U.S. trading partners. The president’s whipsaw approach has fostered an uncertain business climate that’s rankled some analysts. Additionally, the Trump administration has laid off thousands of federal workers across the country.

White House officials have urged patience as trade talks play out.

Leavitt joined Wednesday’s America Reports on Fox News, where Heinrich cited a statement from the American Automotive Policy Council speaking out against tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. The organization said the tariffs “will add significant cost for automakers, suppliers, and consumers.”

“Steel and aluminum tariffs, obviously could have big impacts,” Heinrich said. “Is it time for the president to do an Oval Office address maybe? And try to explain to people that it might be bad for a little while, but it is in fact worth it?”

“The president has been incredibly clear, Jacqui, where he stands and what he envisions for the future of America,” Leavitt responded. “He wants to restore this great country as the manufacturing superpower of the world. And we have the ability to do it because we have the best market, and we have the best workers, and we have plenty of resources right here at home. What we need are these companies and these CEOs to recognize that, to trust in President Trump, and to move their business here. And many of them already are.”

Watch above via Fox News.