DNC parks taco truck outside RNC headquarters to mock Trump’s tariff policies
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) pulled off a clever stunt on Tuesday, parking a custom-wrapped taco truck in front of the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C. The truck, adorned with images of President Donald Trump, offered free Trump-branded tacos to passers-by, with a side of trolling aimed at the president’s tariff policies.
The DNC’s tactic was to use the acronym TACO, or “Trump Always Chickens Out,” to highlight what they see as a major vulnerability for Trump heading into the 2026 elections. The phrase was coined by Wall Street analysts critical of Trump’s tariff policies, suggesting that he may backtrack on the steep reciprocal tariffs he announced in April.
DNC Chair Ken Martin explained, “Trump always chickens out – we’re just bringing the tacos to match. Instead of realizing his tariff chaos is wrecking the economy, Trump continues to drag America towards more economic pain, and the rest of the world sees Trump for exactly what he is: a chicken.”
The stunt comes at a time when Trump’s power to impose tariffs is under legal scrutiny, with three federal courts currently evaluating his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement the import fees. The administration has appealed court decisions blocking the tariffs, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit allowing the policy to continue for now.
Trump’s response to the TACO acronym was dismissive, labeling it a “nasty question” and emphasizing that lowering tariffs was part of ongoing negotiations with China. The DNC’s tactic aims to highlight Trump’s vulnerability on economic issues and market uncertainty caused by his tariffs.
This taco truck stunt represents a shift in Democratic strategy, adopting a more aggressive approach reminiscent of Trump’s tactics ahead of the 2026 midterms. While some efforts, like Rep. Eric Swalwell’s TikTok video mocking Trump’s tariff strategy, have been criticized as “cringeworthy,” the DNC is determined to use these issues to counter Trump and his allies in the upcoming elections.
As the Democratic Party looks to regain momentum and appeal to voters, the taco truck stunt serves as a creative way to draw attention to Trump’s economic policies and present an alternative vision for the future. Only time will tell if this unconventional approach pays off in the long run.
