As the U.S. economy faces rising pressure from ongoing trade wars and market uncertainty, political messaging expert Frank Luntz is raising concerns about how President Donald Trump communicates with the public—especially when it comes to the economy.
During an appearance on CNN, Luntz reacted to Trump’s recent comments where the former president urged Americans to “not be weak” and “not be stupid.” Luntz warned that this kind of language could alienate undecided or moderate voters already frustrated by economic instability.
“Don’t Be Stupid” — The Wrong Message, Says Luntz
When CNN anchor Boris Sanchez quoted Trump telling Americans “don’t be stupid,” Luntz was visibly surprised. He immediately asked if those were the president’s exact words. After Sanchez confirmed it, Luntz didn’t hold back.
“That is a very bad thing to say,” Luntz said. “Voters do not like being told they’re stupid. If the president had said something like, ‘Be patient. Good things take time,’ people would’ve responded better. Instead, this feels like an undeserved insult.”
Luntz, known for advising politicians on effective communication, believes that words matter—especially when public trust is on the line.
Economic Anxiety Is Growing
While Trump’s words drew attention, the real concern lies in the numbers. The S&P 500 has taken a hit, with Trump presiding over the worst early-term losses since World War II. Global markets have also reacted badly to rising tariffs and a tense trade relationship with China.
Just last week, markets temporarily rebounded after rumors spread that Trump might ease tariffs. But when those rumors proved false, stocks dropped again. Investor confidence continues to swing with every statement and tweet from the White House.
Elon Musk Joins the Criticism
Adding to the controversy, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk publicly criticized Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, calling him a “moron” and “dumber than a sack of bricks.” Musk co-founded the satirical “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) and has been increasingly vocal against government trade policies.
His remarks highlight how frustration over tariffs and economic leadership is not limited to average voters—it’s being echoed by top business figures as well.
Luntz: Clearer Communication Could Save the Strategy
Despite the growing backlash, Luntz believes the administration still has time to change the conversation.
“There’s still time to recover if the language is proper,” he said. Luntz pointed out that many Americans haven’t made up their minds yet about the tariffs. But to gain support, the administration needs to clearly answer four key questions:
Are trade policies creating a fair playing field?
Do American workers have equal opportunities?
Are prices for everyday goods going up or down?
How does this affect the average person’s bottom line?
If the answers to these are positive, Luntz believes voters might still support the policies. But he says the current communication strategy is “doing a lousy job.”
As the economy continues to stumble, President Trump’s messaging is coming under serious scrutiny—not just from political rivals, but from his own allies and communication experts like Frank Luntz. With rising frustration among voters and influential voices like Elon Musk weighing in, the White House must rethink how it presents its policies if it hopes to regain trust. Clearer, more respectful language might be the key to turning things around.
