A key member of President Donald Trump's administration was furious when Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) used some colorful language to describe how severely the administration's tariffs have hurt small businesses, so in response to her complaints, Hirono doubled down and used even more colorful language.
The dust-up began when Hirono was discussing multiple pieces of legislation that would lessen the economic damage being caused by Trump's "reciprocal tariffs," exempting small businesses from paying the import duties.
"That is why the bills Senator Markey, Senator Klobuchar and I have introduced, and others, will provide some relief for the millions of small businesses in our country who are taking it in the neck with these tariffs," said Hirono in a clip that was later furiously shared on X by Kelly Loeffler, Trump's administrator of the Small Business Administration.
"This disgraceful comment is shocking even by your own low standards, @MazieHirono," wrote Loeffler, a former financial services and sports executive who was briefly appointed to represent Georgia in the Senate. "Fair trade isn’t the problem — your calculated, violent rhetoric is. It’s evil and beneath the office."
Hirono delivered a curt response shortly thereafter.
"You're right. I should have been more direct: Small businesses are getting f----- by your disastrous tariffs," she posted.
All of this comes as a series of federal courts have stated that Trump's tariff system, which economists warn is driving up prices and slowing down market growth, was illegally implemented without congressional consent. The Supreme Court is set to review the matter and render a final verdict.