Warren Buffett wants the world to know: he’s not cheering Donald Trump’s tariff spree. And he hasn’t said a word about it—despite what viral videos and presidential posts might suggest.
Berkshire Hathaway issued a rare public statement on Friday, flatly denying that Buffett ever praised Trump’s recent economic measures. “There are reports currently circulating on social media (including Twitter, Facebook and TikTok) regarding comments allegedly made by Warren E. Buffett. All such reports are false,” the company said.
The clarification came hours after US President Donald Trump shared a video on Truth Social claiming Buffett had declared Trump was making “the best economic moves he’s seen in over 50 years.”
The video, originally posted by an Instagram user called "AmericanPapaBear," suggested Trump was “crashing” the stock market on purpose to make equities cheaper for the middle class. Trump’s repost came just as global markets were convulsing in response to his new tariffs.
Also Read: Elon Musk lost $11B—and he wasn’t even the biggest loser: Trump’s tariffs obliterate $208B in billionaire wealth
Trump’s tariffs trigger $2 trillion market rout
On Wednesday, Trump shocked investors with an unexpected wave of global import tariffs—including a flat 10% base rate and higher duties for countries like China. Beijing responded sharply on Friday, slapping 34% retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
The reaction was brutal.
In two days, the S&P 500 lost around 6%, evaporating more than $2 trillion in market value. The Dow Jones fell by over 2,200 points. Apple alone lost over $300 billion. And Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned the economic damage from the trade war would be "bigger than anticipated,” predicting slower growth and higher prices.
Despite the bloodbath, Berkshire Hathaway’s stock held up relatively well. Its Class B shares dipped just 1.4% on Thursday, outperforming the broader market.
That resilience was thanks in part to its insurance business. While sectors like tech and banking tanked, the KBW Insurance Index fell just 2.7%. In fact, Progressive Corp—rival to Berkshire-owned Geico—was among Thursday’s top performers, gaining 2%. Insurance companies have the power to pass tariff-induced inflation onto consumers, making them less vulnerable.
“Berkshire’s performance has been a rock in the tariff storm,” said Christopher Davis of Hudson Value Partners, speaking to Bloomberg. “On days like today, one-third of the market cap in T-Bills is a good feeling.”
Also Read: First round of global tariffs comes into effect as Trump reshapes US trade strategy
Buffett says he’s gone quiet—on purpose
Buffett, 94, told CNBC on Friday he hasn’t been speaking to anyone about the markets, the economy or tariffs. He added he will remain silent on economic issues until Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting on May 3 in Omaha.
“He says that he’s not talking to anybody about anything related to the markets, the economy or tariffs, and that he will not be doing that between now and the annual meeting,” CNBC reported.
That silence is strategic. Buffett has grown wary of being misquoted or manipulated. In October 2024, before Trump won re-election, Berkshire warned that Buffett would not endorse any political candidate or financial product, citing a surge in fraudulent claims online. “Numerous fraudulent claims” had wrongly suggested his support for various causes and investments.
Buffett’s caution reflects a broader trend—public figures being dragged into political narratives through doctored content and viral misinformation.
Also Read: Trump’s tariff shock: JPMorgan warns of recession, job losses, shrinking GDP, and soaring prices
Yes, Buffett once spoke about tariffs—but not like this
Some confusion may stem from Buffett’s past remarks. In a CBS News interview on March 2, he said, “Tariffs are actually—we’ve had a lot of experience with them. They’re an act of war to some degree.” He added: “I can’t talk about it now; I really can’t,” when asked about the current state of the economy.
He’s long resisted political entanglement. Since endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2016, Buffett has avoided backing any candidate. The reason? He doesn’t want to risk damaging Berkshire’s reputation or its wide portfolio of businesses, many of which span across party lines.
A changing political chorus
Meanwhile, the political narrative in Washington is shifting.
US Vice President JD Vance has emerged as a key voice in promoting Trump’s protectionist agenda, standing in the Rose Garden on Wednesday as Trump called the new tariffs “our declaration of economic independence.” Vance, once a vocal sceptic of tariffs, now praises them as a tool to revive US manufacturing.
But it wasn’t always this way. Between 2016 and 2019, Vance repeatedly warned that automation—not trade—was the true reason for disappearing factory jobs. “So many of these jobs... just aren’t coming back,” he said in a 2017 interview.
He argued at the time that "hyper-protectionist" policies were unlikely to succeed. But since entering public office, his tone has shifted. A spokesperson now says Vance has been “crystal clear” about his support for the new economic direction.
Also Read: ‘Only the weak will fail’: Trump tees off as $6 trillion vanishes in Market meltdown triggered by ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
The quiet billionaire in the eye of the storm
As the White House leans harder into tariffs and global markets stagger, Buffett remains a symbol of steady restraint.
He’s not buying into the chaos, not rushing to comment, and definitely not endorsing Trump’s policies—no matter what the internet says. His silence, in fact, may say more than any viral video ever could.
For now, the Oracle of Omaha is watching. And waiting.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
Berkshire Hathaway issued a rare public statement on Friday, flatly denying that Buffett ever praised Trump’s recent economic measures. “There are reports currently circulating on social media (including Twitter, Facebook and TikTok) regarding comments allegedly made by Warren E. Buffett. All such reports are false,” the company said.
Warren Buffett calls out Donald Trump for implying that he supports his tariffs. pic.twitter.com/8nYqdommkf
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 4, 2025
The clarification came hours after US President Donald Trump shared a video on Truth Social claiming Buffett had declared Trump was making “the best economic moves he’s seen in over 50 years.”
The video, originally posted by an Instagram user called "AmericanPapaBear," suggested Trump was “crashing” the stock market on purpose to make equities cheaper for the middle class. Trump’s repost came just as global markets were convulsing in response to his new tariffs.
Trump is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. pic.twitter.com/fvThLx82Ev
— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) April 4, 2025
Also Read: Elon Musk lost $11B—and he wasn’t even the biggest loser: Trump’s tariffs obliterate $208B in billionaire wealth
Trump’s tariffs trigger $2 trillion market rout
On Wednesday, Trump shocked investors with an unexpected wave of global import tariffs—including a flat 10% base rate and higher duties for countries like China. Beijing responded sharply on Friday, slapping 34% retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
The reaction was brutal.
In two days, the S&P 500 lost around 6%, evaporating more than $2 trillion in market value. The Dow Jones fell by over 2,200 points. Apple alone lost over $300 billion. And Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned the economic damage from the trade war would be "bigger than anticipated,” predicting slower growth and higher prices.
Despite the bloodbath, Berkshire Hathaway’s stock held up relatively well. Its Class B shares dipped just 1.4% on Thursday, outperforming the broader market.
That resilience was thanks in part to its insurance business. While sectors like tech and banking tanked, the KBW Insurance Index fell just 2.7%. In fact, Progressive Corp—rival to Berkshire-owned Geico—was among Thursday’s top performers, gaining 2%. Insurance companies have the power to pass tariff-induced inflation onto consumers, making them less vulnerable.
“Berkshire’s performance has been a rock in the tariff storm,” said Christopher Davis of Hudson Value Partners, speaking to Bloomberg. “On days like today, one-third of the market cap in T-Bills is a good feeling.”
Also Read: First round of global tariffs comes into effect as Trump reshapes US trade strategy
Buffett says he’s gone quiet—on purpose
Buffett, 94, told CNBC on Friday he hasn’t been speaking to anyone about the markets, the economy or tariffs. He added he will remain silent on economic issues until Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting on May 3 in Omaha.
“He says that he’s not talking to anybody about anything related to the markets, the economy or tariffs, and that he will not be doing that between now and the annual meeting,” CNBC reported.
That silence is strategic. Buffett has grown wary of being misquoted or manipulated. In October 2024, before Trump won re-election, Berkshire warned that Buffett would not endorse any political candidate or financial product, citing a surge in fraudulent claims online. “Numerous fraudulent claims” had wrongly suggested his support for various causes and investments.
Buffett’s caution reflects a broader trend—public figures being dragged into political narratives through doctored content and viral misinformation.
Also Read: Trump’s tariff shock: JPMorgan warns of recession, job losses, shrinking GDP, and soaring prices
Yes, Buffett once spoke about tariffs—but not like this
Some confusion may stem from Buffett’s past remarks. In a CBS News interview on March 2, he said, “Tariffs are actually—we’ve had a lot of experience with them. They’re an act of war to some degree.” He added: “I can’t talk about it now; I really can’t,” when asked about the current state of the economy.
He’s long resisted political entanglement. Since endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2016, Buffett has avoided backing any candidate. The reason? He doesn’t want to risk damaging Berkshire’s reputation or its wide portfolio of businesses, many of which span across party lines.
A changing political chorus
Meanwhile, the political narrative in Washington is shifting.
US Vice President JD Vance has emerged as a key voice in promoting Trump’s protectionist agenda, standing in the Rose Garden on Wednesday as Trump called the new tariffs “our declaration of economic independence.” Vance, once a vocal sceptic of tariffs, now praises them as a tool to revive US manufacturing.
But it wasn’t always this way. Between 2016 and 2019, Vance repeatedly warned that automation—not trade—was the true reason for disappearing factory jobs. “So many of these jobs... just aren’t coming back,” he said in a 2017 interview.
He argued at the time that "hyper-protectionist" policies were unlikely to succeed. But since entering public office, his tone has shifted. A spokesperson now says Vance has been “crystal clear” about his support for the new economic direction.
Also Read: ‘Only the weak will fail’: Trump tees off as $6 trillion vanishes in Market meltdown triggered by ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
The quiet billionaire in the eye of the storm
As the White House leans harder into tariffs and global markets stagger, Buffett remains a symbol of steady restraint.
He’s not buying into the chaos, not rushing to comment, and definitely not endorsing Trump’s policies—no matter what the internet says. His silence, in fact, may say more than any viral video ever could.
For now, the Oracle of Omaha is watching. And waiting.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
You may also like
Did Elon Musk predict Tesla violence in 2022? 'Like clockwork'
Grand National 2025 winner: Nick Rockett storms to dramatic victory - full Aintree result
Saudi transfer chief reiterates Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez ambition - 'I envisage'
Horse Racing, Mahalaxmi Racecourse: Rank Outsider Bishop Clinches Thrilling Win
Kolkata gets its largest handmade telescope
