President Donald Trump on Sunday again suggested children have too many possessions, such as dolls and pencils, and should be content with fewer toys due to his tariffs — a stark contrast to the opulent toys and possessions his kids, such as Barron Trump, had growing up.
In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” the president suggested American girls could make do with fewer dolls as a result of his tariffs:
“They don’t need to have 30 dolls — they can have three,” Trump said. “They don’t need to have 250 pencils — they can have five.”
Welker: “You’re basically saying there could be some supply shortages because of the tariffs.”
Trump: “I’m basically saying we don’t have to waste money on a trade deficit with China for things we don’t need, for junk.”
His condemnation of excess and spoiling your kids stands in contrast, though, to how his kids lived. In tours of the Trump home that “Extra TV” and “Entertainment Tonight” conducted in 2006 and 2010, respectively, Barron, his youngest son, alone had:
• A golden baby carriage
• A giant stuffed dog doll from Barbara Walters
• A toy Mercedes-Benz car with his name emblazoned on the license plate
• A giant stuffed tiger doll
• And a gold watch that his mom, Melania, let him wear
Trump’s comments on “Meet the Press” marked the third time in the last week that he’s downplayed potential supply shortages and economic hardships on U.S. consumers. On Sunday aboard Air Force One, he said girls from ages 9 to 15 “could be very happy” with two to five dolls. Days earlier, during a Cabinet meeting, he said Americans may see emptier store shelves, and acknowledged items like dolls “will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally,” but continued to defend his trade war policies.
