In a recent economic address, former President Donald Trump criticized the U.S. for allowing “big companies” to exploit the country. Trump used the term “rape” to describe how these businesses have taken advantage of the U.S. by manufacturing goods overseas and exporting them back. He pledged to offer incentives for foreign companies to open factories in the U.S., including low taxes, energy costs, and regulatory burdens, as long as they hire American workers and produce their products domestically. Trump also mentioned imposing a tax or tariff on companies that do not manufacture goods in the U.S.
When pressed for details on which companies Trump was referring to, his campaign blamed career politicians like Kamala Harris for selling out the country with bad deals. The campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, stated that Trump plans to institute a 15% corporate tax rate for companies that produce goods in America and ensure that foreign businesses operating in the U.S. do not take advantage of the country. Trump’s economic plan revolves around these tax breaks or tariffs, which he made the centerpiece of his policies during his presidency.
It is worth noting that Trump and his company have a history of producing Trump-branded products in various countries, including China, Indonesia, Turkey, and Canada. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump used similar language when discussing China, accusing them of devaluing their currency to the detriment of the U.S. He claimed that China was “raping” the country and called it the greatest theft in history. These inflammatory remarks align with his recent comments on businesses exploiting the U.S.
Trump faced a rape claim in civil court in 2022 when writer E. Jean Carroll accused him of raping her in the mid-1990s. While Trump denied the allegations and waived his right to testify at the trial, he was found not liable for rape but liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. Trump is currently appealing the $5 million verdict in Carroll’s case, as well as an $83 million defamation verdict from comments he made about her while he was president. These legal battles and controversies have not deterred Trump from continuing his rhetoric against companies that he believes are taking advantage of the U.S. econonomy.
