Charles: “I think what Trump is doing on tariffs is exactly right.”

Augusta, Maine — Republican nominee for governor Bobby Charles is scrambling to rewrite his record. After repeatedly praising Donald Trump’s disastrous tariff agenda, Charles is now pretending he opposes the very policies he once championed.

In a podcast interview last year, Charles said (26:58) “I think what Trump is doing on tariffs is exactly right.”

Then in February, Charles doubled down, agreeing that Trump’s tariffs were “masterful.” He again enthusiastically defended Trump’s tariffs, which included tariffs on Canada. When the courts struck down the tariffs, Charles blasted the ruling, insisting that “the U.S. Supreme Court got it wrong.” The Trump tariffs led to a nearly 20% decline in Maine exports to Canada.

Yet again for the second time this July, Charles claims he disagrees with the president, when the record shows something entirely different.

Statement from Maine Democratic Party Executive Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:

“Bobby Charles spent months cheering on Trump’s tariff agenda. Now that Mainers have seen and felt the damage to their bank accounts, Charles is trying to pretend he was against it all along. That’s not leadership — it’s political damage control. Mainers deserve a governor who tells the truth, not a Trump loyalist and liar.”

REMINDER: Bobby Charles also supports Trump’s budget law and his war with Iran that are also driving up costs for Mainers.