Geraldo Rivera Stuns Viewers With Praise for Trump’s “Brilliant” Tariff Strategy
Once a Harsh Critic, Rivera Now Applauds Trump’s Economic Maneuvering
Veteran political commentator Geraldo Rivera shocked many on Tuesday by offering full-throated praise for President Donald Trump’s latest tariff strategy, calling it a “brilliant ambush” of China and declaring, “God bless him for that.” Rivera’s comments, delivered during a segment on NewsNation, mark a striking turnaround from his previous criticisms of Trump—some of which were among the most pointed in media circles.
“He Ambushed China”
Rivera described Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs for over 75 countries—excluding China—as a masterstroke of economic diplomacy.
“He ambushed China,” Rivera said. “I believe he suckered the whole world into thinking he was on a suicide mission.”
He continued, “This is Trump writ large. This is the guy, the way he does business… he suckered China in.”
In praising Trump’s ability to manipulate expectations and gain leverage on the international stage, Rivera suggested that this kind of maneuvering explains Trump’s enduring political appeal.
“That’s why people really dig the guy. That’s why he’s hard to beat. That charisma is unbelievable.”
A Dramatic Reversal
Rivera’s comments are especially noteworthy given his long-standing and vocal criticism of Trump in recent years. Despite being a registered Republican and one-time Trump confidant, Rivera endorsed Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign and harshly criticized Trump over the January 6 Capitol protests, immigration rhetoric, and character concerns.
In October 2023, Rivera even compared Trump’s language on immigration to Nazi-era propaganda, calling it “disgusting” and “shameful.”
“Former President Trump’s remark about undocumented immigrants ‘poisoning the blood of our country’ is disgusting. Not only does it harken back to the Nazi-era, it is also part of the shameful, vile, centuries-old tradition of claiming falsely that immigrants carry diseases.”
Such language stood in sharp contrast to Tuesday’s praise, raising questions about whether Rivera’s change of heart reflects a broader media shift in tone—or merely an acknowledgment of Trump’s recent wins on the economic front.
A Political Realignment?
Rivera’s shift may be emblematic of a larger recalibration taking place among some moderates and former critics as Trump appears poised to secure another term. With markets surging in response to Trump’s tariff maneuvers and over 75 countries entering trade negotiations with the U.S., Rivera may be one of the first—though likely not the last—to revise his views in light of new political and economic realities.
Whether this signals a permanent return to Trump’s corner or a temporary acknowledgment of a single policy victory remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Trump’s strategic gamble on trade is not just shaking global markets—it’s also shaking up the pundit class.
