President Donald Trump announced a 150% tariff on Elaine Chao, the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in what he called a “strategic countermeasure” against “disloyal Republicans.” The announcement, made via a fiery Truth Social post, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, leaving lawmakers, economists, and late-night comedians scrambling to make sense of the move.

“Elaine Chao, I like her, but she’s part of Mitch’s China connection, and it’s a disaster for American politics. We’re slapping a 150% tariff on her to stop the influence peddling. Mitch will pay up, or I’ll raise it to 300%! Sad!” President Trump posted, capping the message with a string of emojis featuring a money bag and a turtle—presumably a jab at McConnell’s famously slow demeanor.

Chao, a Taiwanese-American who served as Trump’s Transportation Secretary from 2017 to 2021, was quick to fire back. “I’m a U.S. citizen, not a shipment of goods,” she said in a statement. “This is absurd, even for President Trump. I suggest he focuses on actual trade policy instead of personal grudges.” Her comments were met with a wave of support on X, where users dubbed the tariff “the most unhinged policy of the decade.”

McConnell, speaking at a press conference with a strained expression, called the tariff “a gross misuse of executive power.” He added, “My wife is not a trade commodity, and I’m confident the President will come to his senses. Until then, I’ll be consulting with my legal team.”

The White House press room was a circus as Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders attempted to defend the move. “The President is taking bold action to protect American interests from foreign influence, even when it’s close to home,” she said, dodging questions about the legality of tariffing a person. When asked if Trump might target other political spouses, Sanders replied, “The President will do whatever it takes to win. Next question.”

On X, reactions ranged from mockery to disbelief. One viral post read, “Trump just turned tariffs into a soap opera plot—tariffing Elaine Chao is the wildest power move yet!” Another user quipped, “Does this mean Melania’s next? She’s imported from Slovenia, after all.” Political analysts, meanwhile, pointed out the irony of Trump targeting Chao, given her role in his administration. “This is personal, not policy,” said CNN’s Jake Tapper. “It’s Trump reminding McConnell who’s boss.”

Economists were equally baffled. Dr. Paul Krugman tweeted, “Tariffs are going to have as much positive impact on the economy as the Internet, which I predicted wasn’t going to be much more than the fax machine.” Legal experts agree, noting that the move has no basis in U.S. trade law and could face immediate challenges. Still, Trump doubled down during a rally in Ohio, telling supporters, “Mitch thought he could cross me, but I’m the President, and I’ve got the best tariffs, folks. Elaine’s tariff is already working—Mitch called me this morning, begging!”

As the drama unfolds, Capitol Hill is abuzz with speculation. Will McConnell retaliate with Senate maneuvers, or will he bow to Trump’s pressure? One thing is certain: this tariff has turned the trade war into a personal vendetta, and Washington hasn’t seen the last of the chaos.

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