They need some certainty

Why did so many fans watch the final episode of “The White Lotus”?

Suspense. The first episode of Season 3 had teased a murder, and viewers wanted to know the victim.

Uncertainty is the oldest trope in the TV playbook, and Donald Trump learned that lesson well during his 14 seasons starring on “The Apprentice.” Who will be fired this week? And as the main character in his current show, Season 2 of The President, he’s following the same playbook: Always keep ‘em guessing!

That strategy might be good for attracting ratings, but it’s dreadful for managing the economy. When it comes to making financial decisions, people want clarity — not confusion.

Otherwise, they won’t build or buy, hire or invest.

That’s why Trump’s mercurial approach to tariffs and trade has shaken stock markets around the world.

What’s his real goal? How does he get there? The reactions from independent experts have been damning.

“The recent tariffs will likely increase inflation and are causing many to consider a greater probability of a recession,” wrote Jamie Dimon, the widely respected CEO of JPMorgan Chase.

The Economist magazine was even blunter: “Donald Trump has committed one of the worst policy blunders of all time.”

The dismay goes well beyond the tussle over tariffs.

Trump is challenging the basic values that have governed international relations for generations — a system that essentially prizes cooperation over conflict, mutual benefit over national domination.

“Trump is building walls,” writes David Brooks in The New York Times. “His trade policies obstruct not only the flow of goods but also the flow of ideas, contacts, technology and friendships as well. His immigration policies do the same. … The essence of the Trump agenda might be: We don’t like those damn foreigners.”

Trump insists that things are “going very well.” Most Republicans are still so loyal — and so intimidated — that they’re standing by him. And no one really knows whether his bet will pay off. But small cracks of concern are starting to splinter Republican ranks.

In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, 57% agree with the statement that “Trump’s moves to shake up the economy are too erratic,” including 1 in 3 Republicans.

Overall, 37% approve of Trump’s economic performance. That drops to 30% when asked directly about his handling of inflation.

A few brave Republicans are willing to risk Trump’s wrath and criticize him openly. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, an outspoken free-trader, noted that high tariffs have sunk the GOP in the past and concluded, “So they’re not only bad economically; they’re bad politically.”

Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management and a major Trump donor, warned on social media, “The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe,” and added: “This is not what we voted for.”

“The Trump honeymoon collapsed with the stock market,” concludes Republican pollster Whit Ayres.

Seven Republican senators have signed on to a bill promoted by Iowa’s Chuck Grassley that would give Congress the authority to veto any new tariffs imposed by the president.

The measure’s not going anywhere, but it signals the simmering discontent on Capitol Hill — particularly among lawmakers from farm states, which are heavily dependent on exports, especially to China.

“There’s a lot of faith in the president, but that doesn’t pay bills,” Sen.

Jerry Moran of Kansas, a co-sponsor of Grassley’s bill, told The Hill. “So there has to be something that solves this problem or we’re going to lose another significant number of producers across the country.”

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota warns that the White House has “got to be able to reassure the American people that there’s a path forward, that retirement accounts will be bouncing back.”

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana worries, “We don’t know how long it will take. We don’t know what the short-term consequences will be. We don’t know if the medicine will be worse than the disease. … We’re in the economic unknown.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota says his farmers are “heading into spring season and banks are lending them money. They need some certainty.”

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina asked U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, “Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves to be wrong?”

As Season 3 of “The White Lotus” ended, we found out who died. Season 2 of The President is still soaked in suspense. And the audience is getting irritable and apprehensive.

Steven Roberts can be contacted at stevecokie@gmail.com.