US President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the United States would be “screwed” if the Supreme Court rules he lacks the authority to impose sweeping tariffs, saying the government would struggle to refund the money already collected.
In posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump said repaying the tariffs would be a “complete mess” and could cost hundreds of billions of dollars, or even trillions once broader economic effects are included.
“It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay,” Trump wrote, arguing that tariff refunds could reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars, or even trillions once broader economic consequences are considered.
Trump has increasingly used social media to pressure the court as it weighs a challenge to his unilateral tariff powers, repeatedly warning that undoing the levies would overwhelm federal finances.
“It may not be possible,” Trump said. “But if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay.”
The President said the financial exposure would go far beyond direct refunds to importers, pointing to companies and countries that invested heavily to avoid the tariffs.
“The actual numbers that we would have to pay back would be many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars,” Trump wrote, adding that investments in factories, plants and equipment could push the total cost into the trillions.
“When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars,” he said.
Trump framed the tariffs as a national security tool and warned of dire consequences if the Supreme Court sides against the government.
“If the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza,” Trump wrote, “WE’RE SCREWED!”
The Supreme Court has not indicated when it will issue a decision. The case could have far-reaching implications for presidential trade powers and the future of tariffs imposed without direct congressional approval.
“Remember,” Trump wrote, “when America shines brightly, the World shines brightly.”
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