President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before departing the White House, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump scolded America’s cattle ranchers in a Wednesday Truth Social rant that saw him declare that they’d be in dire straits without him.
Trump has faced criticism over his suggestion that the United States might buy more beef from Argentina.
“We would buy some beef from Argentina. If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
In the days since he made those comments, Trump has taken heat from both the cattle ranchers themselves and even some of his allies in Congress and the media.
“Why the actual FUCK would we buy Argentinian beef?” asked an incredulous Outkick host Tomi Lahren on Tuesday. “Our AMERICAN ranchers are getting crushed already by cheap shit foreign beef imports. The meat packers are already under cutting our AMERICAN producers as it is. This is an OUTRAGE.”
Eight House Republicans, meanwhile, signed on to a letter to Trump expressing their concern over the potential importation of foreign beef.
“While we recognize the importance of strong trade relationships and diverse markets, our producers are seeking clarity on how this decision will be made, what safety and inspection standards will apply, and how this policy aligns with your administration’s commitment to strengthening American agriculture,” wrote the GOP lawmakers. “We respectfully request additional information on this matter and urge your administration to ensure that any future decisions are made with full transparency, sound science, and a firm commitment to the U.S. cattle industry.”
On Wednesday, Trump responded to those concerns by urging American ranchers to lower their prices.
“The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil,” mused Trump on Truth Social. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!”
