Trump Ally Hal Lambert Falsely Claims China Pays Tariffs, Spreading Misinformation on CNN

During a heated CNN panel discussion about the economic fallout from surging oil and gas prices, pro-Trump investor Hal Lambert made a stunningly false claim about the tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. Lambert insisted that China was paying a significant portion of these tariffs, a claim that flies in the face of well-established economic realities.

The exchange began when anti-Trump commentator Adam Mockler highlighted the sharp rise in bankruptcies among American companies, including a 46 percent increase in farm bankruptcies since Trump took office. Mockler directly linked these economic troubles to Trump’s tariff policies, asking Lambert if tariffs were to blame.

Lambert deflected, citing “fertilizer issues” without addressing the tariff impact. When pressed on who actually pays tariffs, Lambert arrogantly claimed he understood tariffs “much better” than Mockler and then falsely asserted that China paid many of Trump’s tariffs.

This is simply not true. Tariffs are taxes on imports paid by U.S.-registered importers, not by foreign exporters like China. The cost is passed down through the supply chain, ultimately hitting American businesses and consumers with higher prices. This economic burden has contributed to inflation and financial distress for many sectors, including agriculture.

Lambert’s misinformation is part of a broader pattern of Trump loyalists refusing to acknowledge the economic damage wrought by the administration’s trade wars. Trump’s tariffs sparked retaliatory tariffs from allies and trading partners, disrupted supply chains, and drove up costs for American families and companies.

By falsely claiming that China footed the bill, Lambert attempts to rewrite history and shield Trump from responsibility for policies that have left American workers and consumers paying the price. This kind of gaslighting on national television undermines honest public debate and accountability.

At Only Clowns Are Orange, we call out these lies and hold power to account. The truth is clear: Trump’s tariffs were paid by Americans, not China. The economic chaos they caused is real and ongoing. It is time for those who defended these policies to stop rewriting the facts and face the consequences of their actions.