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Economy or Ego? The Truth Behind Trump’s Economic Claims

His self-promotion often strikes a chord with his supporters. However, when examined closely, these assertions frequently falter under the weight of data and context.

Libby Winkler
4 min readJan 1, 2025
Photo by Eleonora Francesca Grotto on Unsplash

Economy or Ego? The Truth Behind Trump’s Economic Claims

Donald Trump has built much of his political identity on claims of extraordinary economic success. From bragging about stock market records to touting unparalleled job creation, his self-promotion often strikes a chord with his supporters. However, when examined closely, these assertions frequently falter under the weight of data and context.

Claim 1: “I created the best economy in the history of the world.”

Trump’s repeated proclamation that his administration oversaw the “best economy ever” is bold but inaccurate. During Trump's first three years, pre-pandemic economic growth averaged about 2.5%, comparable to the Obama administration’s recovery after the 2008 financial crisis. Job growth was slower than during Obama’s second term.

Beyond the numbers, the claim glosses over stark realities like stagnant wages for many workers and…

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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