Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show
Episode: Michael REACTS: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs
Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Michael Knowles gives an immediate reaction to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to strike down President Trump’s tariffs – a signature part of Trump’s economic policies. Broadcasting from an airport, Knowles analyzes the legal reasoning behind the decision, the split among the justices, and the broader political and economic implications, especially for Trump’s administration and global trade negotiations.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Supreme Court Ruling Summary
- Decision: The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs in the case Learning Resources Center v. Trump.
- Ruling: 6–3
- Majority: Chief Justice John Roberts led the majority, joined by “squishy conservatives,” and all liberals.
- Dissent: Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
- Legal Reasoning:
- Majority Opinion:
- Congress did not “clearly delegate the power” to impose these tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (1970s).
- Relied on the major questions doctrine: For significant political or economic actions, Congress must make clear delegations of authority.
- The liberals agreed with the outcome, but not the majority’s reasoning based on the major questions doctrine.
- Dissent (Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh):
- Thomas cited precedent from as early as 1790 that presidents had this power.
- Drew comparisons to similar tariffs from Presidents Nixon and Ford, which had been upheld by courts.
- Majority Opinion:
2. The Major Questions Doctrine Explained
- Origin & Rise:
- First articulated in the 1980s.
- Gained traction in legal scholarship progressively through the 2000s and particularly post-2013.
- Key Idea: Congress must explicitly delegate on major issues, not leave it ambiguous.
- “Common sense impels us to conclude that on major questions of economic and political importance, the Congress has to really clearly delegate these certain powers.” — [01:11]
3. Political Fallout and Broader Impact
- Practically speaking:
- Not all of Trump’s tariffs are immediately voided.
- Trump could maintain some tariffs through other laws or legal reasoning.
- Diplomatic & Economic Concerns:
- Decision destabilizes ongoing international trade negotiations built around tariffs.
- Loss of negotiating leverage for the U.S.
- “Supreme Court just totally blows that up for what is, in my opinion, kind of bogus reasoning.” — [04:09]
4. Reactions from Different Factions
- Squishy Republicans:
- Generally dislike tariffs and will cheer the decision.
- May claim this helps Trump by forcing better economic policy.
- Knowles is skeptical: “The squishy Republicans basically just want to go back to 1990s Democrat liberalism. And I think that's the high point of human civilization.” — [05:00]
- Michael Knowles’ View:
- Strongly supports the tariffs, arguing Trump’s policies have outperformed expert predictions.
- “The tariff tariffs just beat the experts opinions.” — [06:08]
5. Reflection on Judicial Reasoning & the Justices
- Michael’s Legal Rule of Thumb:
- “When Justice Sam Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas agree on a matter of law and the judiciary, they're probably right.” — [07:15]
- Suggests reading their dissent is persuasive versus the majority’s opinion.
6. Implications for the 2026 Election
- Potential Political Cost:
- The decision is a “major setback” for Trump’s agenda.
- Could serve as a warning sign for the GOP heading into November: “Maybe a little more reason for the Republicans to be concerned about November because the wins that we've secured over the last year are anything but stable. You know, they could turn in a minute.” — [08:30]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Justices’ Split
- “The squishy conservatives, plus all the liberals in the majority opinion going against Trump. You had the more hardcore conservatives...in the dissent.” — [00:25]
-
On Precedent and Presidential Power
- “Clarence Thomas cites precedent going back to 1790 that Trump did in fact have the right to implement these tariffs.” — [02:45]
-
On Economic Results of Tariffs
- “The stock market hit record highs, GDP consistently outperformed expectations. The tariffs just beat the experts opinions.” — [06:05]
-
On the Decision’s Consequences
- “An unfortunate decision to come from the Supreme Court creates a diplomatic nightmare for the Trump administration. Might cause a lot of economic chaos.” — [07:53]
Key Timestamps
- 00:10 — Immediate reaction to the timing and significance of the Supreme Court decision
- 01:05 — Explanation of majority opinion and the major questions doctrine
- 02:45 — Overview of Thomas’s dissent and legal precedent
- 04:00 — Practical and diplomatic implications for Trump’s administration
- 05:00 — Reactions from “squishy Republicans” and broader economic analysis
- 07:15 — Knowles’ confidence in Thomas and Alito’s legal judgment
- 08:30 — The broader political blow and concerns for the GOP moving toward elections
Summary
Michael Knowles delivers a candid, critical take on the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision to strike down Trump’s tariffs, unpacking the split among the justices and criticizing the majority’s reliance on the major questions doctrine. Knowles lauds the dissenting justices (Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh) for their historical grounding, bemoans the practical and diplomatic chaos he foresees, and warns that this ruling could destabilize Trump’s economic achievements as the 2026 elections approach.