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Is the economy better now with Trump than it was under Biden?
Executive summary
Economic measures give a mixed verdict: some headline indicators under Trump’s 2025 presidency — stock highs, continued low-ish unemployment and monthly core inflation around 2.1% as the White House states — are cited as signs of strength [1] [2]. But multiple independent outlets and polling show Americans feel worsening pocketbook pain, Trump’s approval on the economy has fallen to Biden-era lows, and analysts warn tariffs and shutdowns could raise prices and slow growth [3] [4] [5] [6].
1. What the administrations claim: competing storylines from the White House
The Trump White House presents a narrative of rapid economic gains since taking office: faster oil and gas permitting, core inflation “tracked at just 2.1%,” strong job gains and a rescissions bill to cut spending [1] [7]. That messaging frames the economy as improved relative to the Biden years and promises long‑term fiscal gains under Trump policy plans [7].
2. Independent reporting: public mood and approval tell a different story
Major news analysis notes that public perception has turned against Trump on the economy; his net economic approval has fallen to levels comparable to or worse than Biden’s lows, and consumer sentiment and independent polls show rising pessimism about affordability [3] [8] [6]. CNN’s assessment argues the economy “isn’t necessarily worse under Trump than it was under Biden,” but that Trump has made it more of a political liability [4].
3. Data points both sides cite—and what they don’t resolve
Pro-Trump accounts point to stock‑market records, robust GDP forecasts for certain quarters, and reduced measured inflation as proof of improvement [2] [1]. Critics counter that many prices remain elevated relative to Biden’s inauguration—goods were reported as 21% higher when Trump took office in 2025—and that policy moves (like tariffs) risk raising consumer prices and slowing growth [2] [5]. FactCheck’s review of Biden’s term notes strong post‑pandemic GDP gains under Biden (6.2% peak in 2021) and continued corporate profit growth—context that complicates simple “better/worse” comparisons [9].
4. Policy choices that can change the trajectory—and the warnings attached
Journalistic and analyst coverage highlights Trump policy levers—tariffs, deregulation, energy permitting, and tax proposals—that can both spur investment and risk inflation or trade retaliation [1] [10] [5]. Economists such as Mark Zandi caution tariffs would likely raise consumer prices and reduce GDP and jobs, while pundits note deregulation may encourage business investment but raise other risks [5] [10].
5. The politics of responsibility: who gets credit or blame?
Polling and electoral outcomes show voters increasingly “make the incumbent the face of the economy,” meaning Trump is being held responsible for problems that critics say stem from prior trends or inherited conditions [6] [11]. Newsweek and PBS both report nearly half of Americans blame Trump for current economic conditions even as he insists costs are falling [11] [12].
6. Limits of available reporting and what’s not settled
Available sources disagree on causal claims and project different futures: White House releases present optimistic trajectory and deficit reductions under Trump plans [7], while independent outlets and economists emphasize risks from tariffs, shutdowns, and weakening consumer sentiment [5] [4]. Precise attribution—how much of current indicators reflect Trump policy versus lingering effects from the pandemic-era economy under Biden—is not settled in the provided reporting [9] [4].
7. Bottom line for readers deciding “better now?”
If “better” is judged by certain headline metrics cited by the White House—core inflation readings near 2.1%, stock market highs, and some strong GDP estimates—there are arguments that key indicators have improved [1] [2]. If “better” is judged by how Americans feel about prices, political approval, and the near‑term risks from tariffs and government dysfunction, reporting shows meaningful deterioration and heightened downside risk under Trump [3] [5] [6]. CNN’s analysis encapsulates the middle ground: the economy may not be objectively worse, but it has become a bigger political problem for Trump than it was for Biden [4].
If you want, I can assemble a short table comparing specific metrics (inflation, unemployment, GDP growth, stock indices, approval polls) with the exact numbers cited by each side in these sources.