Yes, you just read that right. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, here comes a report claiming Donald Trump suggested putting tariffs on countries for using uninhabited islands, specifically, ones with penguins.
But how did he make this decision, and what does this say about the future of penguins and Antarctica?
Trump’s Odd Proposal Explained
According to a new book by journalist Ramin Setoodeh, Trump allegedly floated this idea during his time in the White House. He reportedly asked, “If a country takes an uninhabited island in the ocean, we should put tariffs on them. Especially if they have penguins.”
Naturally, this raised a few eyebrows among his staff. The statement left people confused, amused, and deeply curious—was this a joke? Was he serious? Or was it one of those off-the-cuff Trumpisms that no one really knows how to respond to?
The book doesn’t confirm whether this idea ever got beyond casual conversation, but it does add another strange moment to the ever-growing list of “Did he really say that?” quotes.
What Does Trump Want to Achieve With This?
Of all the animals to name-drop in a tariff conversation, penguins weren’t high on most people’s bingo cards. It’s unclear what Trump’s reasoning was or how exactly penguins factor into international trade policies. Environmental protection? Tourism competition? Cold-weather jealousy?
Whatever the logic behind it, social media had a field day. Memes, jokes, and confused reactions flooded X (formerly Twitter), with users questioning whether they’d just stepped into an SNL sketch by accident.
A Pattern of Unfiltered Ideas
This isn’t the first time Trump has made headlines for unusual comments about geography or global policy. Remember the time he reportedly asked if the U.S. could buy Greenland? Or when he suggested nuking hurricanes?
Setoodeh’s book—Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass—dives deep into the ex-president’s media persona and how it bled into his time in office. The penguin tariffs are just one of many moments that paint a picture of Trump’s off-script decision-making style.
Internet Reacts: Penguins Deserve Better
The internet, of course, did what it does best—turn a weird political moment into comedy gold. Some joked that Trump had beef with penguins. Others imagined elaborate trade negotiations involving tuxedo-wearing birds and icy island real estate.
The general consensus? Confusion, laughter, and a reminder that reality often sounds like satire these days.
So, Could This Even Happen?
While it’s all very absurd, let’s entertain the idea for a second. Could a country actually face tariffs for occupying a penguin-populated, uninhabited island?
The short answer: Highly unlikely.
Tariffs are typically tied to goods and services, not land ownership. And penguins—adorable as they are—aren’t exactly a hot-button trade issue. Most islands that house penguins are protected or managed under international environmental agreements, especially in regions like Antarctica.
So, no, don’t expect a penguin tax anytime soon. But in a world where headlines get weirder by the day, never say never.