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Commentary
The Wall Street Journal

Trump Throws Another Hail Mary

Coach Woody Hayes’s warning could apply to the ambitious and confident president.

walter_russell_mead
walter_russell_mead
Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship
President Donald Trump stands with Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day as he welcomes the 2025 College Football National Champions from Ohio State University to the White House during a ceremony on the south lawn on April 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
Caption
President Donald Trump stands with Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day as he welcomes the 2025 College Football National Champions from Ohio State University to the White House during a ceremony on the south lawn on April 14, 2025. (Getty Images)

Three things can happen when you throw the ball, legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes once warned, and two of them are bad. Few figures in world history like going deep more than President Trump, and now the world is watching to see what happens to his latest Hail Mary on trade.

Mr. Trump, to be sure, is a certified miracle worker. In his first term he managed to turn dovish Democrats into flaming Russia hawks. Less than 100 days into his second term, he’s already converted the Democrats into Milton Friedmanite free traders. Give him a third term, and the Democrats will demand a return to the gold standard.

Read the full article in The Wall Street Journal.