The real world realities being ushered in by President Donald Trump’s economic policies triggered alarm bells for former Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC), who not only sounded off on their effects on the American public – but also on the GOP’s chances in 2026 midterm elections.
The warnings from the former South Carolina governor came Thursday during an appearance on CNN's “Erin Burnett OutFront” amid news that the uncertainty over Trump’s teetering tariff threats sent the stock markets into a nosedive. Sanford used the opportunity Thursday to offer Trump a history lesson and deliver tough words to the president.
“I think the administration is playing with real fire here,” Sanford said before diving into the effects the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 had during the Great Depression, which he added, “imploded world trade.”
“If you set off the match that lights a trade war again, there will be hell to pay politically and there will be real consequences in people's lives,” he told viewers.
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Sanford also laid into the ripple effect Trump’s policies are already having on small business. But, “more worrisome,” according to the former South Carolina lawmaker, “is the inflation component.”
“Which I think could really, I mean, you talk about something that would bite the Republican party in the midterms,” Sanford said. “Oh my goodness.”
The comments came hours after Trump told reporters that he's "not even looking at the market, because long term the United States will be very strong with what is happening here.”
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