Scott Galloway Says CEOs And Republicans Will Soon Speak Out Against Trump's Tariffs – 'The Worm Has Turned'

On the April 18 episode of the "Pivot” podcast, marketing professor and tech entrepreneur Scott Galloway declared, “The worm has turned,” predicting that CEOs and Republican leaders would soon break their silence on President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. 

Speaking with co-host Kara Swisher, Galloway compared Trump’s trade war tactics to opening “a second front” in a global economic battle, warning that striking at every ally simultaneously would force a backlash in business and politics.

Don't Miss:

Today's Best Finance Deals

CEOs Feeling The Heat

The Trump administration’s tariffs—reaching 145% on some Chinese imports—are already hitting U.S. companies hard. 

“We are likely to see inflationary outcomes,” warned JPMorgan Chase JPM CEO Jamie Dimon in his 2024 annual letter to investors. “Whether or not the menu of tariffs causes a recession remains in question, but it will slow down growth.”

On a similar note, Tesla TSLA CEO Elon Musk has made his feelings clear on Trump’s tariffs. In an April 5 video-linked interview with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Musk said, “I hope it’s agreed that both Europe and the United States move to a zero tariff situation.” 

The tech sector, especially vulnerable to global supply chain shocks, is feeling the tremors. Although Alphabet’s GOOG GOOGL)) recent earnings report provided some relief. However, a broader look shows that companies like Apple AAPL and Amazon AMZN face mounting logistical hurdles due to tariff disruptions.

Trending: It’s no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $250 million in art — this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Here’s how everyday investors are getting started.

GOP Cracks Begin to Show

Cracks are appearing inside the Republican Party. In an April 4 Fox News Op-Ed, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) criticized the tariffs, saying, “The truth is that tariffs are taxes. They don’t punish foreign governments; they punish American families.”

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also expressed his concerns. When addressing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on April 9, Tillis inquired with urgency, “Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves  wrong?” while warning of the negative economic consequences. 

Even voters in Trump-stronghold districts are starting to feel the squeeze. Based on firsthand accounts gathered by Reuters, many admitted the financial toll has been heavier than expected.

See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now.

Economic Warning Bells Sound Off

Economic indicators mirror the growing alarm. The International Monetary Fund recently downgraded its U.S. economic growth projection to 1.8% for 2025 from the previous 2.8%, attributing the decline largely to trade disputes.

Tariffs have also driven up consumer prices by an average of 2.3%, costing the typical American household roughly $3,800 annually, based on analysis from the Yale Budget Lab.

Galloway Calls It a Turning Point

During the “Pivot” episode, Galloway referenced Martin Niemöller’s famous warning about political apathy, connecting it to the modern-day risks of staying silent. He urged corporate leaders to show ethics, leadership, and sustainability — “do the right thing even when it’s really hard.” 

Galloway projected that within “the next week or two,” Fortune 500 CEOs would stand up publicly against Trump’s policies. “Someone is going to come out and say, this is anti-American,” he said.

Read Next:

Image: Shutterstock

AAPL Logo
AAPLApple Inc
$206.16-1.25%

Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only

Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock – anytime.

Unlock Rankings
Edge Rankings
Momentum
58.14
Growth
46.07
Quality
77.29
Value
8.22
Price Trend
Short
Medium
Long
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Posted In:
Comments
Loading...