49% of South Dakotans still say King Don’s tariffs are a good idea. 49% of South Dakotans evidently want to destroy prosperity and the free market.
King Don has duped farmers and ranchers into mouthing support for his tariff wars as a useful tool to win fair trade, even though they know tariffs are bad economics:
The volatility caused by tariffs and Trump’s statements have put new financial pressures on South Dakota ranchers, said Warren Symens, a Marshall County farmer and rancher who is president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.
…“We understand that tariffs can be a tool in trade negotiations. But we know that long-term they are not an economic solution to anything” [Bart Pfankuch, “Poll: Support for Trump Tariffs Uneven in South Dakota,” South Dakota News Watch, 2025.11.17].
The problem is, Trump isn’t using tariffs as part of a systematic, well-thought-out strategy to forge a better economic situation. He’s just extorting world leaders and making decisions based on impulse, pique, and flattery. Consider how the Swiss won a reduction in tariffs with pure bribery:
“It’s a great relief for our economy,” said Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin, who said significant damage had been done since the additional tariffs had kicked in last August.
Parmelin said a move by Swiss business leaders to meet Trump in the White House last week had proved “decisive” in reaching a deal.
Industry chiefs visited the Oval Office, bearing gifts including a Rolex gold watch and a specially engraved gold bar from Swiss-based gold refining company MKS.
Initial attempts by Swiss President Karin Keller Sutter to change Trump’s mind had fallen on deaf ears. Trump said she “was a nice woman, but she did not want to listen”.
But after the 4 November encounter with Swiss business leaders, Trump revealed this week a deal was being worked on [Imogen Foulkes, “US Agrees Deal to Slash Swiss Tariffs to 15% After Golden Charm Offensive,” BBC, 2025.11.16].
South Dakotans and all Americans need economic policy guided by reliable principles, analysis, and strategy. Changing policy based on who brings our President shiny presents isn’t good economic strategy; it’s crony capitalism, which brings corruption and economic stagnation. But given how slow South Dakotans are to recognize and respond to corruption, support for tariffs will probably linger until we’re in a full-blown agricultural depression.
The issue being tariffs is almost irrelevant. MAGA backs what Trump says BECAUSE Trump says it. Maybe the small miracle is that it is lower than the 63.4% that voted for the stable genius last election?
I am reminded of the hatred the Right had when asked about Obamacare or the ACA; they those same people had YUGE support for individual elements of health care reform — not labeled ACA or Obamacare — but part of the ACA.
Political identity trumps critical thinking or even truth, especially when in a Cult of personality,
O is correct. His followers just follow. You have to laugh at their motivated ignorance.
They’ve invested too much time to check the map now.
If they watch Fox News, Biden is to blame for all the economic woes. Trumps tariffs are “supposedly” bringing Biden’s high prices down. Yes O, it is a cult.
LET ME OUT OF HERE
Isn’t it easier to forfeit your states prosperity and free market when your state has little prosperity and free market to forfeit?