He's Been 'Disowned': Trump Adviser Attacks Mike Pence's 'Downward Spiral'

1 month ago 4

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro knocked former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday after he argued in favor of keeping children’s toys “affordable” in response to Donald Trump’s widely criticized “dolls” comments.

Navarro told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that he “loved” Pence in the first Trump administration, one that ended in the vice president distancing himself from his boss after he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

“But he really squandered his political career,” added Navarro, who was reportedly “sidelined” on Trump’s trade team last month.

Navarro’s response comes one day after Pence, in an interview with Collins, responded to Trump remarking in a Cabinet meeting last week that children may have to live with having “two dolls instead of 30” as a result of his trade policy.

“Keeping dolls affordable, keeping our kids’ toys affordable, that really is part of the American dream,” Pence said on the same day that Mattel — the maker of Barbies and other popular toys — revealed it plans to increase prices on select products to offset higher costs tied to Trump’s widespread tariffs.

Pence further suggested that Trump’s approach to tariffs wouldn’t produce “a win for the American people” and predicted that Americans will instead seek a “free trade with free nations” approach from the administration.

Navarro told Collins that Marc Short ― Pence’s ex-chief of staff who recently described Trump’s “dolls” talk as “really damaging messaging” ― got the former vice president to side with a “free trade rather than fair trade” approach.

“And it’s been a downward spiral ever since. He’s been disowned by the entire MAGA movement and the Republican Party,” Navarro said of Pence.

Collins swiftly checked Navarro over his claim by arguing that Pence’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021 ― and not his views on trade, which he has held for “decades,” she said ― contributed to the party dumping him.

Navarro replied, “If you’re telling me what you just told me, then his views on trade are wrong.”

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