Tariffs, not transparency, are the ‘hostile act’

Published April 29, 2025 12:47pm ET



White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed Amazon on Tuesday for the company’s reported plan to itemize the cost of tariffs on its bills as it does sales taxes. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?” Leavitt asked. “This is a hostile and political act by Amazon.”

Well, I suppose admitting that former President Joe Biden’s inflationary spending policies and President Donald Trump’s protectionism both inflate the price of consumer goods is a step in the right direction. Because back in March, Leavitt claimed it was “insulting” for journalists even to suggest that the public would pay after Trump’s “Liberation Day.” Foreign countries were the ones footing the bill on tariffs, she argued, which were “a tax cut for the American people.”

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.