Fox News hosts launched an extensive on-air defense campaign Tuesday morning after Democrats began mocking President Donald Trump with the acronym “TACO,” which stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out.” The term originated from Wall Street traders describing Trump’s pattern of backing down from tariff threats when markets decline.
The controversy erupted during Tuesday’s edition of Fox & Friends, where co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy expressed outrage over the Democratic mockery. Campos-Duffy, whose husband serves as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, dismissed the acronym as propaganda designed to undermine Trump’s image as a courageous leader.
The Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong coined the term May 2 in his newsletter, originally using it to describe Trump’s approach to trade policy. Armstrong explained that he needed shorthand for the recurring pattern of Trump making aggressive tariff announcements, then retreating when stock markets tumbled in response.
The acronym gained widespread attention after Rep. Eric Swalwell posted a social media video Friday showing him eating a taco while an aide questioned Trump’s tariff reversals. The California congressman’s video prompted immediate backlash from Fox News personalities, who characterized it as evidence of Democratic desperation.
Co-host Lawrence Jones criticized the Democratic response as inaccurate, arguing that Trump’s tariff adjustments represent successful negotiations rather than capitulation. Brian Kilmeade directed blame toward The Wall Street Journal, claiming the Murdoch-owned publication has been antagonistic toward Trump’s trade policies.
Campos-Duffy referenced last year’s assassination attempt on Trump to counter the chicken metaphor, stating that everyone “knows he is the bravest man in the world.” She argued that the public understands Trump’s courage following the Pennsylvania rally shooting, making the cowardice implications ineffective.
The defensive response extended beyond the morning show, with multiple Fox News programs addressing the TACO acronym throughout Monday and Tuesday. Greg Gutfeld attempted to defuse the insult by emphasizing that Americans enjoy tacos, while other hosts dismissed the term as failing to gain meaningful traction.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich rejected the nickname during his Fox News appearance, arguing that Trump’s record demonstrates resilience rather than retreat. Gingrich cited Trump’s survival of various investigations, impeachment attempts, and legal challenges as evidence contradicting the “always caves” characterization.
Trump himself reacted negatively when initially confronted with the term during a May 28 White House press conference. The president appeared visibly rattled by the question, ultimately telling the reporter not to repeat such “nasty” inquiries. Anonymous White House officials later indicated Trump was frustrated both by the nickname and his staff’s failure to prepare him for the question.
The acronym has gained momentum beyond financial circles, with Democratic Party officials planning to capitalize on the mockery. The Democratic National Committee commissioned a taco truck to serve free food outside Republican National Committee headquarters Tuesday, further amplifying the messaging campaign.
Wall Street traders have been using the TACO framework for weeks to describe investment strategies based on Trump’s tariff reversals. The pattern emerged most clearly with Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announced April 2, which caused initial market declines before recovering as the administration softened its approach.
Fox News personalities across multiple shows have coordinated their response to the Democratic attacks, with hosts consistently characterizing the TACO acronym as ineffective political messaging. The network’s opinion hosts have taken turns dismissing Swalwell’s video while defending Trump’s negotiating tactics as strategic rather than weak.
The controversy reflects broader tensions between Trump’s trade policy approach and market reactions, with the president’s team now working to counter narrative implications that he retreats under pressure. The acronym’s spread from financial newsletters to mainstream political discourse demonstrates how quickly market terminology can become political weaponry in contemporary media cycles.
Vice President J.D. Vance responded to the Democratic taco truck initiative by characterizing the opposition as historically ineffective, while other Republican officials have largely avoided direct engagement with the TACO messaging campaign.
