WSJ Attacks Trump Again
The Wall Street Journal editorial board is blasting President Donald Trump for backing a government deal to secure a 10% stake in Intel, raising alarms about government overreach and a potential new patent tax on American innovation.
In its Monday editorial, the paper argued that it was once unthinkable for a Republican president to push for government ownership in a private corporation, yet that moment has arrived. The board further warned that the Trump administration appears to be considering a patent levy — something they described as nothing less than a tax on innovation.
Trump Defends Intel Deal as a Win for America
President Trump has a different take. He hailed the Intel deal as a “great move for America’s future”, pointing out that the U.S. government “paid nothing for these shares, and the shares are now valued at nearly $11 billion.” Trump called it a major victory for U.S. workers, taxpayers, and the domestic chip industry at a time when America must outcompete China.
Journal Warns of Big Government Overreach
The Wall Street Journal editorial board wasn’t convinced. While acknowledging short-term benefits, it warned that federal involvement could undermine Intel’s competitiveness on the global stage. “Government meddling risks making it harder for Intel to lead in advanced chip manufacturing and design,” the board argued.
The paper also slammed the idea of a patent tax, pointing out that American companies already pay royalties, licensing fees, and income taxes on patented products. Congress has never authorized such a tax, the board noted, questioning whether the Commerce Department even has the legal authority to impose it.
Corporate Statism vs. Free Markets
The Journal cautioned that deals like this one with Intel “empower the administrative state” and fuel corporate statism—a dangerous precedent conservatives have long opposed. Critics fear this opens the door for unelected bureaucrats to influence private companies, rather than letting the free market drive innovation.
Trump vs. The Media: A Familiar Battle
This isn’t the first clash between Trump and the Murdoch-owned outlet. Earlier this year, Trump filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for what he called false and politically motivated reporting about his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. For many conservatives, this latest editorial is yet another example of the establishment media trying to undermine a president who puts American workers first.
