President Donald Trump responded sharply Friday to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries after the Democratic leader criticized the president in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the administration’s sweeping tariffs. During a press briefing, Trump dismissed Jeffries as “low IQ,” asserting that the lawmaker “doesn’t even know what a tariff is.”
Reporter: Hakeem Jeffries called you a wannabe king
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 20, 2026
Trump: Low IQ
Reporter: Why won’t you just work with Congress?
Trump: I don’t have to. pic.twitter.com/yDVhN6C5n0
The president’s comments came after Jeffries posted on social media, calling the court ruling “a big victory for the American people” and labeling Trump a “wannabe king.” In his remarks to reporters, Trump defended his authority to impose tariffs, saying the measures had always been approved by Congress and that any process required to implement them was merely “a little more complicated” than previous actions.
The Supreme Court decision striking down the harmful Trump Tariffs is a big victory for the American people.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 20, 2026
And another crushing defeat for the wannabe King.
Trump highlighted Republican support in Congress, noting that despite losing a few votes, the party demonstrated “great unity” and suggesting that backing Republican candidates was essential to preserving the country. He framed the dispute as part of a broader fight against Democratic leadership, emphasizing that his administration would continue using tariffs as a tool to protect domestic industries and advance trade priorities.
Reporter: There's been votes in the senate against it.
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 20, 2026
Trump: Yeah. Because we lost two Republicans or three Republicans because they're not good Republicans. There’s great unity in the Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/HMQlQSmh4a
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between the White House and Congressional Democrats over trade policy. Jeffries, as House Minority Leader, has been a consistent critic of Trump’s tariff measures, which the Supreme Court deemed to exceed the president’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. The ruling invalidated tariffs imposed on goods from more than 100 countries, marking a significant legal setback for the second Trump administration.
Trump’s public rebuke of Jeffries signals the administration’s willingness to confront Democratic leadership directly as it seeks to navigate the practical and political challenges posed by the Supreme Court’s decision.
