Trump Compares Tariffs to Surgery While Hosting Saudi-Backed Golf Event: “The Patient Is Screaming, Which Means It’s Working”

DORAL — Despite triggering the steepest stock market drop since the early days of COVID-19, President Trump remained upbeat Thursday, telling reporters, “This is what recovery looks like—loud, panicked, and very lucrative.”

Speaking from a luxury viewing box at his Doral resort during a Saudi-funded golf tournament, Trump waved off questions about global panic over his new tariffs.

“The patient is screaming, which means it’s working,” he said, comparing the international economic crisis to a surgical procedure. “If there’s no pain, that’s not a real operation…”

The Dow closed down more than 1,600 points amid global selloffs, but Trump insisted the market was “just getting taking a break,” adding, “Sometimes stocks crash. That’s normal.”

White House officials clarified that the President would not be meeting with any European leaders this week, as he was “completely booked with golf-adjacent obligations.”

Asked if he planned to offer any economic reassurances to Americans, Trump responded, “Absolutely. This is the best possible collapse we could’ve had. I said it would be rough—but also classy.”

At press time, Trump was seen autographing copies of the golf event program, now rebranded as “Tariff Invitational ’25.”