Trump’s 12th Week in Office: Tariff Fallout and Netanyahu Visit Take Center Stage

President Donald Trump’s 12th week in office is shaping up to be a rollercoaster ride, with major focus on the fallout from his bold new tariffs and an important visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump, never one to shy away from controversy, defended his new tariffs in a Saturday post on Truth Social, declaring, "HANG TOUGH." While acknowledging the challenges ahead, he promised that the "historic" end result would be worth it.

The tariffs, affecting dozens of countries, are part of what Trump has dubbed his "economic revolution." He claims these measures will "supercharge" the economy, but the stock market isn’t exactly cheering. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq suffered their worst plunge of the decade last week, while the Dow nosedived by a jaw-dropping 2,231.07 points. If this is an economic revolution, it’s coming with some serious turbulence.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn’t mince words, calling the tariffs a "massive assault on American families" during a CNN appearance. He argued that the policy would primarily benefit billionaires, leaving ordinary Americans to deal with the fallout.

Despite the criticism, Trump appears determined to stay the course, painting a picture of a future economic victory. In another Truth Social post, he boasted about bringing back jobs, businesses, and a jaw-dropping $5 trillion in investment. "THIS IS AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION, AND WE WILL WIN," he proclaimed, sounding more like a hype-man than a president.

Meanwhile, Trump’s schedule for the week includes hosting Netanyahu at the White House. The two leaders are expected to discuss the 17% tariff on Israeli imports and the escalating Israeli operations in Gaza. It’s a meeting that could shape the future of U.S.-Israel relations—and let’s be real, it’s bound to be a headline-grabber.

Trump will also be keeping tabs on Congress as lawmakers inch forward on his multitrillion-dollar spending agenda. Over the weekend, the Senate approved Trump’s budget blueprint, setting the stage for the House to weigh in. But with a slim Republican majority and plenty of internal disagreements, clearing the lower chamber won’t be a cakewalk.

House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Andy Harris expressed skepticism, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that he needs to see concrete spending and deficit reduction plans before supporting the Senate’s changes. "The Senate is free to put pen to paper to draft its reconciliation bill," he said, "but I can’t support House passage until I see the actual plans to enact President Trump’s America First agenda." The drama is far from over.