‘Trump Always Chickens Out’—The Nickname That’s Sticking
President Donald Trump is known for branding political rivals with biting nicknames—but this week, he’s finding himself on the receiving end of a moniker that’s catching fire across Wall Street, cable news, and even Google searches.
The term? TACO, short for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
Coined by Wall Street traders and increasingly echoed by Trump critics, the acronym refers to what some analysts see as the former president’s repeated reversals on key economic and foreign policy decisions—most notably tariffs. According to CNN data analyst Harry Enten, the nickname isn’t just Twitter fodder anymore.
“[TACO] is actually entering the mainstream culture, and we can see this right here in Google searches,” Enten said during a recent CNN segment. He pointed to a staggering 9,900% spike in search activity for the term between Tuesday and Thursday this week.
Tariff Turmoil Sparks TACO Trend
The resurgence of TACO follows a string of high-profile policy walk-backs. On April 2—labeled ‘Liberation Day’ by Trump’s campaign—he announced a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, intended to reassert U.S. economic dominance. But after China retaliated with 125% tariffs of its own, Trump quickly revised his plan, dialing tariffs back to just 30% within days.
Similar retreats have followed his tough talk on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. The pattern hasn’t gone unnoticed by financial markets or political commentators, especially those who remember his sharp trade rhetoric during his presidency and 2024 campaign.
Enten noted on CNN that Trump’s habit of abrupt reversals threatens the very brand he built his political career on: consistency, strength, and decisive leadership.
Democrats, Celebrities Amplify the Burn
While the term may have started on trading floors, it has now been weaponized by Trump’s political opponents. California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Obama campaign chair Jon Cooper have both recently used “TACO” in interviews and social posts, linking the term directly to Trump’s perceived indecisiveness.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also joined the pile-on, dancing onstage in a taco costume during his monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” mocking Trump’s reaction to the nickname and playing a mashup video of the former president backing down from various confrontations.
“Trump trades on the idea that he does what he says,” Enten said. “If all of a sudden you’re associated with ‘Trump Always Chickens Out,’ well, that is no bueno.”
Trump Lashes Out: ‘That’s a Nasty Question’
The former president didn’t take the jab lightly. During a White House-style press event on Wednesday, a reporter asked Trump directly about the TACO nickname. His response was visceral.
“That’s a nasty question,” Trump shot back. “Don’t ever say what you said. That’s the nastiest question.”
Despite his protest, the moment only added fuel to the viral fire.
Google Trends and the Power of Branding
Enten emphasized that the nickname’s rise isn’t just about insults—it’s about optics and brand perception, especially in a media landscape where a few viral moments can reshape public narratives.
“If you’re trying to run as a strongman, a no-nonsense negotiator,” Enten said, “then getting branded as someone who backs down consistently is political poison.”
And while Trump has survived countless controversies, the mainstreaming of TACO presents a unique problem: It uses his own tactics against him.
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