“🇺🇸Trump: Our country was the strongest, believe it or not, from 1870 to 1913.
Do you know why?
Because it was all based on tariffs—we didn’t have an income tax.
Do you agree with President Trump?”
During a rally in Palm Beach on April 8, 2025, President Donald Trump dropped a historical bombshell that’s got everyone talking: “Our country was the strongest, believe it or not, from 1870 to 1913. Do you know why? Because it was all based on tariffs—we didn’t have an income tax.” With his second term rocking the globe—104% tariffs on China, a 90-day pause for 75 nations, and Vietnam’s $40 billion stock crash—Trump’s doubling down on tariffs as America’s golden ticket, harking back to a pre-income-tax era he says made the U.S. unbeatable. As gas hits $4.20 a gallon and X debates his claim, the question looms: do you agree with Trump’s tariff gospel, or is it nostalgia run amok?
Trump’s not wrong on the timeline—sort of. From 1870 to 1913, the U.S. was a tariff titan, raking in 50% of federal revenue from duties on imports like steel and textiles, per the Treasury Department. No income tax existed until the 16th Amendment in 1913; tariffs fueled the Gilded Age boom—GDP soared from $7.4 billion in 1870 to $39.1 billion by 1913 (in 1913 dollars), a 428% leap. America flexed as an industrial giant, outpacing Britain by 1900. “Tariffs built us—Trump’s right!” an X user cheered, as MAGA’s 47% approval (Gallup, March) nods to his 1870-1913 flex. “Strongest ever? Believe it,” he grinned, golf clubs in hand.
But context matters. That era’s tariffs—averaging 20-40%—protected infant industries like railroads and manufacturing, sparking growth but also monopolies and inequality. The Panic of 1873 and 1893 crashed markets; tariffs padded revenue but didn’t stop busts. Trump’s 2025—104% on China, 46% on Vietnam—mirrors that playbook, shielding U.S. jobs (Apple’s $500 billion pledge) but tanking stocks ($40 billion Vietnam hit) and jacking inflation to 4.3%. “He’s resetting trade—1870 style,” Vice President J.D. Vance said on X, as 47% there back Trump’s history lesson. “No income tax? Genius!” an X post crowed, eyeing today’s 37% top rate.
Critics scoff. “Strongest? Sure, if you ignore the crashes,” an X detractor quipped, noting 1870-1913’s wealth gap—1% held 50% of riches. Today’s 104% China tariff and $1 trillion Treasury threat echo that chaos; Goldman Sachs predicts a $500 billion GDP hit and 2 million jobs lost by 2026 if talks falter. “Tariffs then weren’t this dumb—ChatGPT’s not smarter than history,” an EU official jabbed to *Handelsblatt*, as 51% disapprove (Gallup). “Trump’s stuck in 1913—global trade’s not,” an X economist warned, citing Vietnam’s $123.5 billion surplus dwarfing 19th-century scales—75 nations beg for relief.
Trump’s pitch is seductive. Pre-1913, no IRS meant tariffs funded everything—roads, navy, westward push—without taxing wages. His 2025 reset—90-day pause for 75, TikTok deal (104% to 10%)—apes that, dodging income tax hikes while strong-arming trade. “We were kings—tariffs did it,” he told Fox, as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt touted “no tax, all muscle.” X splits: “Trump’s right—tariffs over IRS!” (47%) versus “He’s clueless—modern world’s different” (53%). China’s 20 million job risk and Apple’s $638 billion loss test his gamble—nostalgia’s sweet, but $4.20 gas bites.
History’s not a blueprint. 1870-1913 lacked globalization—China’s $391 billion exports, Vietnam’s $136.6 billion dwarf tariffs’ old reach. No income tax worked then—revenue was $700 million in 1910 (1913 dollars)—but today’s $4 trillion budget laughs at that. “Tariffs alone? Cute fantasy,” an X historian snarked, as Ted Cruz’s “bloodbath” looms—midterms hinge on this reset. MAGA’s “Nós amamos Trump” contrasts Swift’s Musk feud and Riley’s Griner rant—47% buy his tale, 53% see a mirage.
Do you agree? Trump’s 1870-1913 claim holds water—tariffs powered a juggernaut, no income tax freed cash. His 2025 echo—75 nations paused, China squeezed—scores wins (TikTok, Apple) but risks ruin ($40 billion Vietnam, $500 billion U.S. hit). “Strongest then—stronger now,” an X fan roared, as 47% cheer his golfing defiance—50+ begged, he paused. Critics cry folly: “He’s breaking us—1913’s dead,” with 51% fearing chaos over reset. Kim Soo Hyun’s $5 million and Musk’s DOGE wobble fade—Trump’s tariff time machine rules.
Yes or no? He’s half-right—tariffs built 1870-1913’s might, but today’s 104% and $40 billion crashes aren’t that clean. No income tax then was gold; now it’s unfeasible—$4 trillion needs more. “Reset’s bold—maybe stupid,” an X centrist mused, as 47% ride Trump’s wave, 53% brace for wreck. In 2025’s mess—China’s threat, Vietnam’s bleed—Trump’s 1913 dream dazzles but teeters. Agree or not, he’s swinging—golf and all—and the world’s watching, split as ever.
