Trump Takes Credit for Economic Highs, Blames Biden for Lows
DECK
As economic uncertainty deepens and growth slows, President Trump praises his policies while faulting his predecessor for lingering weaknesses in the U.S. economy.
KEY FACTS
- What: Trump attributes positive job growth to his administration while blaming Biden for negative trends.
- Where: Comments made during an NBC "Meet the Press" interview.
- When: Interview scheduled to air Sunday; comments reflect ongoing economic developments in early 2025.
- Economic Snapshot: U.S. economy shrank in Q1 2025; job growth at 177,000 in April.
- Public Opinion: Trump holds a 39% approval rating on economic performance (CNN poll).
- Trade Policy: Trump reinstated tariffs, paused some for 90 days, and aims to renegotiate global trade deals.
SITUATION SNAPSHOT
In a climate of market hesitation and public unease, President Donald Trump is doubling down on his narrative: the economy's gains are his doing, and its setbacks are inherited baggage. Speaking with NBC’s Kristen Welker, he sought to draw a bold dividing line between his current leadership and the economic aftershocks of the previous administration.
WHAT WE KNOW
Trump appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to defend his handling of the economy, claiming credit for April’s better-than-expected employment figures. “I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job,” he told Welker.
Despite the recent job uptick — 177,000 jobs added in April and rising average hourly earnings — the broader picture remains mixed. The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025, reversing gains from late 2024.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has prioritized aggressive trade realignment, introducing sweeping tariffs designed to pressure trading partners and incentivize domestic production. Though some tariffs were delayed for 90 days, the administration faces a tight timeline to reshape dozens of international trade agreements.
Meanwhile, consumer confidence has taken a hit, and federal job reductions have not yet appeared in official employment figures.
Trump remains defiant. “Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang.’ … when the boom begins, it will be like no other. BE PATIENT!!!”
WHAT’S NEXT
The administration is expected to intensify trade negotiations over the next three months, while economists monitor whether the recent contraction signals a longer downturn. The full impact of the tariff strategy has yet to be felt, and its success hinges on how quickly domestic industries respond.
Trump, meanwhile, is likely to keep leveraging his economic message as a cornerstone of his leadership narrative — a strategy that may face headwinds if public perception doesn’t improve.
VOICES ON THE GROUND
“I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he’s done a terrible job,” — President Donald Trump.
“He did a terrible job on everything, from his autopen — which I’m sure he knew nothing about, some of the things he was supposedly signing.”
“Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers … Our Country will boom … BE PATIENT!!!” — Trump, Truth Social.
“Ultimately, I take responsibility for everything,” — Trump to Welker.
“But I’ve only just been here for a little more than three months … The tariffs are going to make us rich. We’re going to be a very rich country.”
CONTEXT
Trump’s return to office has revived his signature trade-first economic doctrine, rooted in protectionism and industrial repatriation. His earlier term saw similar strategies, but this time the stakes are higher — the global economic landscape has changed, and supply chains remain fragile post-pandemic.
The downturn in Q1 2025 marked the first contraction since mid-2022, challenging Trump’s narrative of immediate economic revival. With inflationary pressures receding but growth slowing, the administration faces a delicate balancing act between stimulus, trade enforcement, and public reassurance.
REPORTER INSIGHT
The contrast between Trump’s confidence and the economy’s ambiguity underscores a broader tension in American political life — where narratives often clash with numbers. Reporting from Washington, the mood is both anticipatory and skeptical. For all the bold claims, the real test of Trump’s economic legacy may still lie ahead.
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