Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy pushed back against President Donald Trump’s attempt to deflect blame for a shrinking US economy — telling the commander-in-chief in a social media post, “Don’t p–s down my back and tell me it’s raining.”.
Portnoy reacted to Trump’s comments on Wednesday following a Commerce Department report indicating that US gross domestic product contracted 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025 — the country’s first economic shrinkage since 2022.
In response to the report, which came just as Trump marks 100 days into his second term in office, the president took to Truth Social to claim that lingering effects from Joe Biden’s administration were to blame.
“This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s. I didn’t take over until January 20th,” Trump wrote on Wednesday.
“Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers… This has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS.”
But Portnoy, a Trump voter, was unconvinced.
Posting a screenshot of Trump’s message on X, he wrote, “What’s that old expression? Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining? Well that applies here. The stock market is a direct reflection of Trump’s 1st 100 days in office. Doesn’t mean it won’t get better… but this is his market not Biden’s.”
Despite his past support for Trump, Portnoy has grown increasingly critical in recent weeks as his personal investments have taken a major hit due to volatile markets and the administration’s sweeping tariff policy.
In early April, Portnoy revealed he was down nearly $7 million, a figure he later revised to a staggering $20 million — roughly 20% of his net worth.
“I don’t even understand these tariffs,” he admitted during an April 7 episode of the “Barstool Rundown,” during which he blasted Trump for golfing in Florida while markets slid.
Still, the outspoken media figure’s frustration didn’t stop him from sharing a brief and friendly exchange with Trump at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12.
As Trump made his high-profile entrance into the Kaseya Center alongside his grandchildren, he greeted several public figures, including Portnoy.
The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Portnoy later said he praised Trump’s stance on water pressure — a favorite talking point for the president.
Trump’s call for patience follows a string of sobering headlines marking his 100-day milestone.
A Wall Street Journal editorial noted that it was the worst performance for the Dow Jones and S&P 500 in a president’s first 100 days since Richard Nixon.
Meanwhile, an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll showed Trump’s approval rating at just 39%, with 72% of respondents believing his economic policies are likely to trigger a recession.
Notably, even 51% of Republicans surveyed expressed concern that Trump’s approach could lead to further economic decline.
Public opinion was also starkly negative on tariffs, with 64% disapproving of his strategy.
As markets remain volatile and the political temperature rises, Portnoy’s criticisms reflect a broader unease among conservative voters once solidly in Trump’s camp.
The Post has sought comment from the White House.
