It was Friday, September 12, 2025. President Donald Trump sat down for an interview on Fox & Friends, a familiar territory, but the mood was anything but routine. The country was reeling from the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk just two days prior. When Ainsley Earhardt asked the President how the nation could possibly "come back together" after such a tragedy, the room—and the national audience—expected a standard call for unity.
Instead, they got a raw, unfiltered pivot.
"I'll tell you something that's going to get me in trouble, but I couldn't care less," Trump said. He then proceeded to lay the blame for the country’s division squarely on "radicals on the left," describing them as "vicious" and "horrible."
That single sentence—Trump I couldn't care less—became an instant lightning rod. It wasn't just a throwaway line; it was a rhetorical flag planted in the ground during his second term. It signaled a departure from the traditional "healer-in-chief" role and a double-down on the combative, partisan style that defined his 2024 victory.
Why the "Couldn't Care Less" Moment Exploded
Politics is usually a game of optics. Most politicians spend millions to look like they care about everyone, even the people who hate them. Trump, especially in 2025 and 2026, has flipped that script. By saying he "couldn't care less" about the blowback for his comments, he’s speaking directly to a base that feels like "politeness" is just another word for "surrender."
It’s a pattern, really.
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Back in March 2025, during an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, he used the exact same phrase regarding the auto industry. When asked if he was worried that his 25% tariffs would cause foreign automakers to spike prices for American consumers, his response was identical: "I couldn't care less if they raise prices, because people are going to start buying American-made cars."
For the average person at the grocery store or the car dealership, that sounds risky. To a Trump supporter, it sounds like someone finally putting the domestic economy over international corporate interests. It’s this "take no prisoners" approach to language that keeps his approval ratings hovering around 42.4%, even as he faces intense pushback from groups like Indivisible and the Brookings Institution.
The Apathy Factor in 2026
We’re heading into the 2026 midterms now, and the landscape is... weird. Honestly, "exhaustion" is the word that comes to mind most often. A Pew Research study from late 2025 showed that 65% of Americans feel "exhausted" when thinking about politics.
When a leader says "I couldn't care less," it resonates with a public that is starting to feel the same way. It’s a sort of shared fatalism. If the system feels broken, why bother pretending we’re all going to hold hands and sing "Kumbaya"?
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But there's a downside to this strategy.
According to data from the Harvard Youth Poll, only 14% of young people without strong community ties feel "politically engaged." When the rhetoric at the top becomes this dismissive, it can actually drive people away from the polls. Young voters in particular—Gen Z and Millennials—are feeling "fatalistic" about the American Dream. They see the bickering and the "I don't care" attitude and decide to just stay home.
The Economic Reality vs. The Rhetoric
Let’s talk about the tariffs for a second, because that’s where the "couldn't care less" attitude hits your wallet.
Trump’s 25% auto import tariffs were meant to be a boon for American manufacturing. The logic? If Toyotas and Volkswagens get too expensive, you'll buy a Ford or a Chevy. But the Associated Press noted that if these taxes are fully passed to consumers, the average price of an imported vehicle could spike by $12,500.
- Pro-Tariff Argument: It forces companies to build factories in the US, creating high-paying jobs.
- Anti-Tariff Argument: It creates immediate inflation, making it harder for the average family to buy a car.
- Trump’s Stance: The long-term gain of a "made in USA" economy outweighs the short-term pain of price hikes.
It’s a high-stakes gamble. The Brookings Institution pointed out that while Trump has had some wins—like ending the Israel-Hamas war and slowing border crossings—the economy remains his Achilles' heel. Roughly 74% of Americans rate the current economic conditions as "fair or poor." When you're struggling to pay rent, hearing the President say he "couldn't care less" about price hikes can feel like a slap in the face.
The Cultural Divide is Hardening
The Kirk murder was a turning point. Before that, there was a slim hope that the second term might be more about "unifying" the country. That hope died on that Fox News couch.
By refusing to condemn "radicals on the right" while heaping blame on "radicals on the left," Trump signaled that the 2026 midterms will be fought in the trenches of the culture war. He even suggested that right-wing "vigilantism" is just people who "don't want to see crime."
Luke Baumgartner from George Washington University’s Program on Extremism warned that this kind of talk is basically a "blessing from the highest levels" for people to take the law into their own hands. It’s a dangerous game. When the person in charge says they don't care about the norms of unity, the people at the bottom often stop caring about the norms of civil discourse.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that Trump says these things because he’s "unhinged" or "out of control."
That’s probably not it.
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If you look at his history, the "couldn't care less" line is almost always used when he’s about to do something controversial that he knows his base will love. It’s a tool for authenticity signaling. In a world of focus-grouped politicians, saying something that is "going to get me in trouble" makes him look like the only person telling the "truth."
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Whether you love the guy or can't stand him, the "couldn't care less" era of American politics is here to stay through 2026. Here is how to navigate it:
- Watch the Midterm Polls: Democrats currently hold a 5.3% advantage in House candidate support for the 2026 midterms. Trump’s dismissive rhetoric might be firing up his base, but it’s also alienating independents and suburban voters.
- Budget for Tariffs: If you're planning on buying a new car or major appliance, do it sooner rather than later. The "permanent" nature of these tariffs means prices aren't coming down anytime soon.
- Filter the Noise: Understand that "I couldn't care less" is a rhetorical strategy, not necessarily a policy statement. It’s designed to create a "them vs. us" narrative. Looking at the actual federal expenditures and legislative changes will give you a better idea of what’s actually happening than the daily headlines.
- Stay Engaged: Apathy is the goal of extreme rhetoric. When people tune out, they lose their say in how the country is run. Don't let political exhaustion turn into total disengagement.
The "Trump I couldn't care less" moment wasn't a mistake. It was a mission statement. As we move closer to the 2026 elections, expect to hear more of it as the administration leans into its "us against the world" brand of governing.
Next Steps for You
- Review Your 2026 Budget: With 25% tariffs on various imports, look at your household expenses. Specifically, check for products that rely on international supply chains.
- Check Your Voter Registration: If you're feeling the fatigue, remember that the 2026 midterms are the only way to directly influence the legislative balance of power.
- Follow Local News: National rhetoric often obscures what's happening in your own backyard. Local policies on crime and the economy often have a more direct impact on your daily life than a Fox News interview.