Trump Calls Supreme Court Tariff Ruling a "Disgrace"

President suggests he has a backup plan after court strikes down most of his global tariffs.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 11:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former President Donald Trump has criticized the Supreme Court's recent ruling that invalidates most of his administration's global tariffs, calling it a "disgrace" and suggesting he has a backup plan to address the decision's potential impact on the Treasury. The ruling, which was issued on Friday, has raised questions about the fate of the approximately $200 billion already collected in tariffs and whether the Trump administration will attempt to find a workaround.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs could have significant economic and political implications. It calls into question the legality of the tariffs and the administration's ability to collect the substantial revenue generated from them. This decision also raises concerns about potential disruptions to international trade and the administration's ability to pursue its protectionist economic policies.

The details

In a dissenting opinion, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued that the ruling has the potential to unleash a "mess" with "significant consequences for the Treasury." It remains unclear whether the approximately $200 billion already collected in tariffs will have to be refunded, and the Trump administration is reportedly exploring potential workarounds, though the details of any backup plan are not yet known. The administration does have other laws it can rely on, but those laws have procedural constraints and may not allow tariffs as expansive as the ones the court struck down.

  • The Supreme Court issued its ruling on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who implemented the global tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

Brett Kavanaugh

A Supreme Court Justice who wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that the ruling has the potential to unleash a "mess" with "significant consequences for the Treasury."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The ruling has the potential to unleash a "mess" with "significant consequences for the Treasury.”

— Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court Justice (Wall Street Journal)

“The ruling is a "disgrace.”

— Donald Trump (CNN)

What’s next

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring potential workarounds to the Supreme Court's ruling, though the details of any backup plan are not yet known.

The takeaway

The Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs could have significant economic and political implications, raising questions about the legality of the tariffs, the administration's ability to collect the substantial revenue generated from them, and potential disruptions to international trade. The decision also highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the scope of presidential authority on economic policy.