Marc Short says Trump’s comments on dolls are “very harmful messaging.”

President Trump might be risking some public backlash if he keeps discussing the topic of dolls, particularly in reference to Mark Short, who was a key aide to then-Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s first term.

The former president, known for his wealth and reality TV background, has come under fire recently for remarking that if his extensive tariff strategies affect family budgets, children may simply have to settle for fewer dolls this year.

Short expressed concern over this statement, noting, “That communicates a damaging message.” He added, “While it’s clear he’s financially comfortable, it’s vital he avoids showcasing how many dolls or pencils he feels are acceptable for families.”

Trump elaborated on his views during an interview from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which was broadcast on Sunday. He commented on the doll situation and included his thoughts on pencils as well, asserting, “I don’t think we need a well-off 11-year-old girl with 30 dolls. What we were able to achieve in trade with China was extraordinary. So I believe they could manage with just three or four dolls. We had a trade deficit in the hundreds of millions with them.”

He reiterated, “Kids don’t really need 30 dolls. Three would suffice. And 250 pencils? They could manage with five.”

Retailers have voiced concerns for weeks now regarding how Trump’s mutual tariffs might influence pricing and product accessibility. However, the president maintained on Wednesday that his economic strategies require “a bit more time” to take effect.

He revisited the doll topic at a cabinet meeting later that same day, suggesting, “Kids might have two dolls instead of 30. Perhaps those two dolls could cost a few dollars more than usual.”

While Short complimented Trump’s vigor and work policies, he contended that the administration should reevaluate its messaging concerning tariffs.

“A more cooperative effort to explain things to the American public would greatly benefit the administration,” Short argued.

He took issue with the administration’s lack of clarity on the rationale behind the sudden tariff increases, pointing out, “Sometimes, they claim it’s to focus on China, while at other times, it’s about lowering trade barriers globally. There are mentions of Canada, Mexico, and European allies as adversaries, and then there’s talk about tackling fentanyl. Occasionally, they address the trade deficit with various partners.”

He concluded, “The communication isn’t very cohesive. If we reach a stage where people anticipate economic disruptions, many Americans might wonder, ‘What’s the point? Why are we restricted in how many dolls and pencils we can purchase?'”