The Independent's Andrew Feinberg challenged the White House after President Trump said parents "don't need 37 dolls" ahead of the holidays. White House spokesperson Leavitt defended the president, noting voters are aware of his wealth and credited his business credentials. In a lengthy Pennsylvania speech, Trump conceded tariffs have raised prices but argued such measures are necessary to save U.S. industry—especially steel—and urged temporary consumer sacrifices.
White House Defends Trump After Controversial '37 Dolls' Remarks On Holiday Affordability
The Independent's White House reporter Andrew Feinberg pressed the administration Thursday over President Donald Trump's now-notable comments advising parents they do not need to buy their children "37 dolls" as the holiday season approaches. The exchange highlights tension over messaging on affordability from a president who is also one of the country's wealthiest figures.
During a Pennsylvania event on Wednesday, Feinberg asked whether it was appropriate for a billionaire president to counsel families on how many toys to buy. He asked: "About his doll comments the other night. The president is a billionaire, probably the wealthiest person who ever served as president. Is it a good look for him to be telling parents, 'You should only buy two or three dolls for your kids,' when he is one of the wealthiest people in the country?"
White House spokesperson Leavitt pushed back, saying many voters are aware of Mr. Trump's wealth and re-elected him because of his business background and economic approach. "Do you think the people in that room in Pennsylvania don't know the president's a billionaire? I think it's a well established fact," Leavitt replied. "They re-elected him because he's a businessman, understands the economy, and is fixing it, just like he did in his first term."
The comments came amid a roughly 90-minute address to Pennsylvania Republicans in which Trump acknowledged that his tariff policies have contributed to higher prices. He argued the tariffs are necessary to preserve U.S. industry—especially steel—and framed occasional consumer sacrifices as part of a broader economic strategy.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I think you're gonna do better than you've ever done before. You were losing all of your steel. If we didn't have tariffs, you would have no steel. We wouldn't have one steel mill anywhere in the United States.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You know, you can give up certain products. You can give up pencils. That's under the China policy. You know, every child can get 37 pencils. They only need one or two, you know. They don't need that many.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You don't need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don't need 37 dolls.
Critics say the remarks underscore a disconnect between the president's personal wealth and the economic pressures facing many American families during the holidays. Supporters say the remarks emphasize sacrifice for long-term industry protection. Video of the exchange and the speech circulated online via several outlets, including Fox News; the coverage was summarized in articles on Mediaite and The Independent.
