WASHINGTON (Realist English). Billionaire investor Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s trade policy, describing new tariff proposals and economic isolationism as “toxic” for the Republican Party. The comments were reported by CNN.
Griffin warned that Trump-era tariffs have damaged trust in free trade and continue to harm U.S. businesses — particularly in the technology and consumer goods sectors. He noted that despite Trump’s aggressive rhetoric toward China, the U.S. budget deficit continued to balloon throughout his first term.
A major Republican donor, Griffin has previously supported several GOP candidates, but now argues that the party needs a “new generation of leadership”. He made it clear that support from the financial elite is not guaranteed if the next administration doubles down on protectionist policies and market closure.
President Trump, meanwhile, reiterated in April his plan to introduce a universal 10% tariff on all imports, stating it is necessary to “protect the American market.” While such measures enjoy backing among parts of the Republican base, they are deeply unpopular with major investors and the business community.
Griffin’s remarks signal a growing rift within the Republican Party — between its populist wing, focused on short-term political gains, and its corporate establishment, increasingly wary of the long-term fallout from a trade war. This tension is likely to intensify ahead of upcoming Congressional elections.
