As the economy feels more and more unstable, it’s no surprise that many Americans are worried. Stock market dips, rising prices, and a general sense of uncertainty are enough to make anyone anxious. But while most of the country is trying to make sense of it all, Donald Trump has a different take. According to him, we’re not just panicking—we’re being weak and stupid. In fact, he’s even got a new word for us: Panicans.
Trump’s Message to Worried Americans? ‘Don’t Be Stupid—Be Great’
This comment came after he announced a set of global tariffs that immediately shook the stock market. The backlash was swift. Financial experts raised red flags, consumers braced for price hikes, and many feared the start of a deeper economic downturn. But instead of addressing the concerns, Trump doubled down.
He criticized those reacting to the market crash and uncertainty, saying Americans needed to stop being “weak” or “stupid.” He said strength and patience would lead to greatness, and dismissed those expressing fear as overreacting. His new nickname for them? “Panicans.”
What Even Is a Panican?
The term “Panican” seems to be the President’s mashup of “panic” and either “Republican” or “American.” Either way, it’s not exactly flattering. It paints concerned citizens as irrational or unpatriotic simply for expressing fear during an objectively unstable economic moment. He used it to separate those he sees as “resilient” from those he thinks are losing their cool unnecessarily.
Let’s be real: while it’s not the Great Depression, it’s also not smooth sailing. The global economy is expected to grow slowly, around 3.3% over the next couple of years, but factors like inflation, trade wars, and political instability have people on edge. In the U.S., new tariffs—especially on auto imports—could raise prices and slow down consumer spending, which affects everyone.
So no, Americans aren’t just panicking for fun. The anxiety is real. And while the country watches their finances shrink, Trump is on the golf course… calling them names.
