The Democratic National Committee’s attempt to mock President Trump with a “Trump Always Chickens Out” taco truck stunt has been met with widespread ridicule from conservatives. However, the effort quickly unraveled when the truck reportedly parked at the wrong location initially and left earlier than advertised, creating ammunition for Trump. How did the acronym TACO become popular in Democratic circles?
Democrats’ Taco Truck Trolling Attempt Backfires
The Democratic National Committee parked a custom-wrapped food truck outside Republican headquarters featuring a cartoon of President Trump in a chicken suit with the slogan “Trump Always Chickens Out.” The acronym TACO was meant to ridicule Trump’s tariff policies, with DNC Chair Ken Martin explaining, “Trump always chickens out — we’re just bringing the tacos to match.”
The truck was scheduled to serve free tacos between noon and 2 PM, but reportedly left early, giving Republicans ammunition to mock the effort. Vice President JD Vance quickly dismissed the stunt, calling Democrats “the lamest opposition in American history.”
Widespread Mockery Ensues as Democrats’ Stunt to Troll President Trump on Tariffs Blows Up in Their Faces (VIDEO) https://t.co/Rn4YpkYqGo
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) June 3, 2025
Republicans Ridicule Democrats’ Messaging Failure
Republican officials wasted no time highlighting the stunt’s shortcomings, with NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella pointing out that the truck initially parked at a church a block away from its intended location. RNC communications director Zach Parkinson mocked the effort, sarcastically asking if Democrats would “give out free vasectomies next” in their attempt to win over voters.
Christian Martinez, a Republican press secretary, criticized Democrats for relying on “cheap gimmicks and free handouts” rather than substantive policy discussions. The criticism extended to other Democratic messaging attempts, with Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross connecting the taco truck to previous failed campaigns: “The party that brought you the hugely successful ‘Dark Brandon’ and ‘Republicans are Weird’ campaigns are now going all in on ‘TACO.'”
Just stopped by the Trump always chickens out taco truck. They were already sold out. pic.twitter.com/vARilsVwy0
— Rob (@RobMcGravytrain) June 3, 2025
Failed Humor Highlights Broader Democratic Challenges
The DNC intended the stunt to highlight what they view as inconsistencies in Trump’s trade policies, with Ken Martin claiming Trump “talks a big game, caves, and then leaves working families and small businesses to deal with the fallout.” Instead, conservative commentators framed the event as emblematic of Democrats’ inability to effectively challenge Trump through humor or messaging.
Democrats attempted to counter the criticism, with DNC deputy communications director Abhi Rahman attacking JD Vance as “the cringiest VP in American history.” The failed stunt comes amid other Democratic attempts to mock Trump’s tariff strategy, including a widely criticized TikTok by Rep. Eric Swalwell showing him eating a taco while criticizing Trump’s economic policies.
The incident demonstrates the challenges Democrats face in crafting effective messaging against Trump, whose resilience to ridicule has consistently frustrated his opponents. Political analysts note that such misfired attempts often end up reinforcing Trump’s appeal among supporters while doing little to sway undecided voters.