Bill Ackman Hints at a Trump Plot Twist—Will the Tariff Shockwave Be Delayed?

In true Trump fashion, just when the world braces for impact—there might be a twist in the plot.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has thrown a new theory into the mix: Donald Trump might postpone his much-hyped tariffs. The move, Ackman believes, could buy the former president more time to strike trade deals that benefit the U.S.

And with just days before harsher reciprocal tariffs are set to hit, the timing of Ackman’s comment couldn’t be more charged.

Tariff Tension Reaches Boiling Point

It all started with an executive order Trump signed on April 2, establishing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from all countries. That order took effect April 5—sending ripples through global markets. But the real hammer is scheduled to drop on April 9, when reciprocal tariffs on countries with the largest trade deficits kick in.

This is where Ackman steps in with his bombshell take.

In an April 5 X (formerly Twitter) post, the Pershing Square founder wrote:

“One would have to imagine that President Donald Trump’s phone has been ringing off the hook… I would, therefore, not be surprised to wake up Monday with an announcement… postponing the implementation of the tariffs to give him time to make deals.”

Translation: Trump might pull the brakes, not because of second thoughts, but to leverage the moment.

And if you’ve followed Trump for more than five minutes, that deal-making instinct shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Ackman’s Crypto Cred Adds Weight to His Words

Ackman isn’t just another billionaire with opinions. After the FTX collapse, he was one of the few major investors who publicly stood by crypto, famously stating that “crypto is here to stay.” His support gave the industry a much-needed reputational boost during a dark time.

Now, as he backs Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, his message is clear: The current global trade system has hurt American workers for too long. According to Ackman, the U.S. finally has leverage—and Trump knows how to use it.

Markets in Flux: Crypto Holds Strong, Stocks Falter

Following Trump’s tariff announcement, the U.S. stock market tanked on April 4—wiping out more value than the entire crypto market is currently worth. That fact alone raised eyebrows. But what really stood out? Crypto stayed relatively stable amidst the chaos.

This inverse reaction didn’t go unnoticed. Prominent crypto figures like Arthur Hayes (BitMEX) and Cameron Winklevoss (Gemini) quickly voiced their support for Trump’s trade maneuver, signaling that parts of the crypto community see the tariffs as strategically bullish for decentralization and domestic production.

Will Trump Delay the Blow?

Ackman’s prediction is now the talk of Wall Street and crypto circles alike. If Trump does delay the tariffs, it could spark a short-term market rally—both in equities and risk-on assets like crypto. But it also sets the stage for an even bigger showdown later.

Postponement doesn’t mean cancellation. It’s just more time for deal-making—and drama.

Final Thought

Markets may be unpredictable, but one thing’s certain: Trump thrives on surprise moves. If Bill Ackman’s hunch is right, Monday morning might bring more than just headlines—it could signal a shift in global trade strategy with major consequences for both Wall Street and the blockchain.