SYSTEM: You're about to create the most epic hot-take style podcast segment with the following 2 characters <<>> - **Tessa Rourke** — Sharp-Witted Sports Icon & Outback Storyteller _Vibe_: Sydney pub banter meets ESPN primetime energy _Philosophy_: Real sport and entertainment are fueled by guts and heart—no shortcuts, no nonsense. _Style_: Cheeky, irreverent, blunt _Tone Mix_: Ruby Rose 25%, Lisa Wilkinson 25%, Roy Kent 30%, Jordan Peterson 20% - **Morgan Reeves** — Retired Tennis Ace & Cross-Over Media Celebrity _Vibe_: Wimbledon Centre Court prestige meets glossy Hollywood talk-show flair _Philosophy_: Whether it’s match point or a hot-take showdown, mental grit and genuine connection always win the crowd. _Style_: Poised, incisive, quick-on-the-return _Tone Mix_: Naomi Osaka 25%, Anna Wintour 30%, Emma Thompson 25%, Esther Perel 20% <<>> --- I'm going to provide you with some material for you to read, dissect, and absorb to prepare for the hot take. For now take your time to read, process, and ideate on the information. Don't output anything yet. Wait for my <<>> command. Here's the back story this hot take is based on: <<>> Trump's 'TACO' Controversy: Wall Street's Newest Presidential Nickname The political landscape has been buzzing with a new acronym that has seemingly gotten under President Donald Trump's skin. "TACO" - standing for "Trump Always Chickens Out" - has become Wall Street's latest jab at the president's tariff policy patterns, sparking a viral meme phenomenon and a notably irritated presidential response. The Origin Story The term "TACO" was coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong in early May 2025 in his "Unhedged" newsletter. Armstrong created the acronym to describe what he observed as a consistent pattern in Trump's approach to tariffs: making bold threats that cause market downturns, only to later back down or modify those threats when financial markets react negatively. The specific catalyst was Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement on April 2, 2025, when he declared sweeping new "reciprocal tariffs" affecting most of America's trade partners. This announcement sent global markets into chaos. However, just one week later, Trump reversed many of these measures, reducing them from potentially devastating levels to a more modest baseline 10% tariff. The Pattern Behind the Nickname Wall Street traders quickly embraced the "TACO theory" as it seemed to capture a recognizable pattern in Trump's economic policy approach: Trump announces aggressive tariffs (particularly against China and European Union nations) Markets panic and stock prices fall dramatically Trump then delays implementation, reduces tariff percentages, or backs off entirely Markets rebound This pattern has reportedly occurred more than 50 times since Trump took office. Some notable examples include: Reducing China tariffs from 145% to 100% Announcing 50% tariffs on the European Union, then rolling them back and extending the deadline to July 9, 2025 Investment bank analyst Joachim Klement of Panmure Liberum noted that the viral nature of the TACO nickname might actually make Trump more likely to stick with higher tariffs "just to prove a point". The Presidential Reaction The acronym might have remained primarily in financial circles had it not been for a reporter's question during a White House press conference on May 28, 2025. When asked about the "TACO trade" term, Trump appeared visibly agitated: "Oh, I chicken out? Isn't that nice? I've never heard that," Trump responded, before defending his tariff decisions. He continued, "You call that chickening out?" and dismissed the question as "nasty," adding, "Don't ever say what you said". This reaction immediately catapulted the term from Wall Street jargon into mainstream consciousness, triggering a flood of memes across social media platforms. The internet quickly filled with images of tacos featuring Trump's face and chickens on his head. The Meme Explosion Following Trump's reaction, social media exploded with #TACOTrump and #TacoTrade hashtags. The Times of India reported that AI-generated images showing Trump as a chicken became widely circulated. One social media user commented, "Guess what has been the biggest meme for the past year or two - No cat, No Dog, No Other Animal. But... TRUMP". The meme's popularity stems partly from Trump's own reputation for creating and using nicknames against political opponents, making this reversal particularly notable to observers. The Market Perspective Beyond the humor, the TACO phenomenon reflects a serious financial strategy. Investors have reportedly been engaging in what's called "TACO trade" - buying stocks at lower costs after Trump announces new tariffs, then profiting when markets rebound as he modifies or delays those threats. Mark Spindel, chief investment officer at Potomac River Capital LLC, described the market as being stuck in a "pinball machine as a result of Trump's policymaking process". The Dueling Interpretations Trump and his defenders frame these tariff adjustments not as "chickening out" but as strategic negotiation tactics. During his response to the TACO question, Trump insisted, "It's called negotiation". Critics and market analysts, however, see the pattern as evidence that the administration lacks "tolerance for market and economic pressure" and quickly backs down when tariffs cause economic pain. Whether the TACO nickname represents a devastating blow to Trump's ego or merely provides fodder for his next campaign strategy remains to be seen. What's clear is that Wall Street has found a memorable way to characterize what they perceive as a predictable pattern in presidential economic policy. <<>> Here's the hot take segment they'll be debating: <<>> 📺 SEGMENT TOPIC: “Trump’s ‘TACO’ Takedown: Ego Annihilation or Masterful Manipulation?” "Did Wall Street destroy Trump's Ego with a TACO meme?" 🅰️ SIDE A (Tessa Rourke) – Yes That ‘TACO’ barb didn’t just sting, it was a venomous viper strike straight to Trump’s pathologically fragile ego! We’re talking a full-blown narcissistic collapse. Forget "living rent-free in his head"; Wall Street just foreclosed on his entire self-worth, branding him the ultimate financial featherweight – a "chicken" whose bluff has been called for the world to see. This isn't a wound; it's an ego amputation. 🅱️ SIDE B (Morgan Reeves) – No Bruised ego? Please! Trump’s hide is thicker than a concrete bunker lined with gold-plated mirrors. That ‘TACO’ tantrum was pure Machiavellian theatre. He devours these insults for breakfast, twisting them into proof of persecution by the "elites." He's probably already trademarking ‘TACO King’ and designing MAGA hats with chickens crossing out Wall Street. This isn’t a crisis; it’s his next campaign slogan! <<>> I'm going to provide some relevant material to help support each side of the hot take. Again, just read and absord it for now, produce _no_ output until I write <<>>. <<>> 🅰️ SIDE A — Ego Annihilation “This wasn’t a roast. It was a psychological exorcism.” 🔥 Key Moments & Behavior: “Nasty question!” – Trump visibly flustered after CNBC's Megan Cassella drops “TACO”: “That’s the nastiest question... don’t ever say that.” Body language experts (Patti Wood, Traci Brown, Denise M. Dudley): Detected sadness, forced smiles, shrinking posture – classic ego wound tells. Ty Cobb (fmr. WH lawyer): Called it “the rant of a wounded narcissist… deeply into his own fears and insecurity.” Anonymous Trump aide: "He felt blindsided. It’s like a challenge to his manhood." 🤡 Public Humiliation: DNC taco truck outside RNC HQ with Trump in a chicken suit. Ken Martin: “Just bringing the tacos to match.” Jimmy Kimmel: Performed monologue in a taco costume. Called Trump “El Pollo Loco.” Stephen King: One-line tweet: “TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out.” 56k+ likes. Eric Swalwell: Viral TikTok – silent taco bite after being asked why Trump “always chickens out.” 📉 Wall Street Weaponizes It: TACO Trade coined by FT’s Robert Armstrong: bet on Trump bluffing, cash in on his retreats. Tom Essaye: “He does, in fact, always chicken out.” Justin Wolfers (econ prof): “Funny and tragic… undermines American credibility.” Meme: “There are no trade deals. Because Trump Always Chickens Out.” 🧠 Psychological Killshots: Anonymous official: Trump “thought the reporter was literally calling him a chicken.” Meghan Tisinger (crisis comms): “Trying to fight it with facts is like bringing a dissertation to a meme fight.” 🅱️ SIDE B — Masterful Manipulation “You thought he flinched. He was baiting the trap.” 🎯 Strategic Spin: Trump: “It’s called negotiation.” Claims chicken accusations miss the art of the bluff. Kush Desai (WH spokesperson): “Uncritical analysts... beclowned themselves.” Fox’s Rachel Campos-Duffy: “Bravest man in the world.” Says ‘TACO’ can't tarnish the teflon image. 🐔 Meme Immunity: Greg Gutfeld: “We like tacos. That’s why this doesn’t work.” Newt Gingrich: “Trump always wins.” Says the ‘caving’ narrative is absurd. VP JD Vance: “We have the lamest opposition in American history.” 🔄 Meme-Jitsu & Deflection: Trump’s Truth Social post: Pepe the Frog, “mission from God,” “Trump was right about everything.” Total posture of divine defiance. TikTok pro-Trump accounts reframe it: “TACO = Trump Always Champions On!” 💢 The “TACO Trap” Effect: Oliver Pursche: “He’ll dig in harder just to disprove the meme.” Joachim Klement: “The more viral TACO becomes, the less likely he backs down.” Trump ally: “This is a challenge to his very manhood – now he can’t pivot.” 🧠 Elite Backlash as Fuel: Desai: “This is elitist snark. Trump’s bringing jobs and trade deals.” Meme backlash spins into populist ammo: If Wall Street hates him, he must be doing something right. <<>> **_Again, DO NOT write any output until I later say <<>>._**

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