Trump Proclaims Successful First Year as BLS Shows 2.7% Inflation, Poll Finds Majority Disagree
Updated (2 articles)
Trump Frames First Year as Unprecedented Achievement After attending the College Football Playoff National Championship in Florida, President Donald Trump told reporters the opening year of his second term “has been amazing,” citing sweeping tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and crime‑reduction measures as evidence of success[1]. He argued that no prior president had delivered such a start, positioning the narrative ahead of upcoming midterm elections[1].
BLS Reports December Inflation at 2.7% Amid Mixed Price Movements The Bureau of Labor Statistics released December headline inflation at 2.7%, noting food prices rose while items like coffee increased and eggs fell[1]. Trump contrasted this figure with his claim that “inflation is down and the economy is strong,” presenting the data as validation of his economic policies[1].
CNN Poll Shows Public Perception Diverges Sharply from Administration Narrative A CNN poll published Friday indicated 58% of Americans view Trump’s first year of his second term as a failure, while only 42% see it as a success[1]. The poll underscores a substantial gap between the president’s self‑assessment and broader public opinion[1].
Trump Attacks Fed Chair on Truth Social Following Inflation Release In response to the BLS numbers, Trump posted on Truth Social urging Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, labeling him “late” and praising tariffs as a remedy for price pressures[1]. The post exemplifies his use of social media to amplify his economic narrative and pressure the Fed[1].
Timeline
2009 – Unemployment peaks at 9.9% during the Great Recession, providing a benchmark for later administrations’ job figures (source [2]).
2017 – Unemployment falls to 4.2% under the previous administration, cited as a reference point for current job‑market assessments (source [2]).
2021 – Unemployment remains at 4.2% early in the Biden presidency, used in comparisons of economic performance across administrations (source [2]).
Sep 2025 – The U.S. economy expands 4.3% in Q3 2025, driven by consumer spending, exports, and government outlays, outpacing growth in the first years of recent presidents (source [2]).
Nov 2025 – Inflation eases to 2.7%, lower than the Biden‑era peak, reinforcing the administration’s claim of price relief (source [2]).
Nov 2025 – Unemployment holds at 4.6%, modestly above the 4.2% levels of 2017 and 2021, shaping the narrative on labor‑market health (source [2]).
Sep 2025 – The trade deficit narrows to roughly $52.8 billion, a result the administration attributes to tariff policies (source [2]).
Dec 19, 2025 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes at 48,134.89, marking a double‑digit year‑to‑date gain and signaling market confidence (source [2]).
Dec 23, 2025 – President Trump asserts he inherited a weak economy from the previous administration, framing his policy agenda as a turnaround (source [2]).
Jan 2026 – The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases December inflation at 2.7%, with mixed food‑price movements, providing data that contrast with the president’s optimism (source [1]).
Jan 20, 2026 – After attending the College Football Playoff National Championship, Trump declares his first year of the second term a success, citing tariffs, immigration, and crime crackdowns as achievements (source [1]).
Jan 20, 2026 – Trump touts the declining inflation and a “hot” economy, claiming prices are falling and the United States is the strongest globally (source [1]).
Jan 20, 2026 – On Truth Social, Trump blasts Fed Chair Jerome Powell, urging immediate interest‑rate cuts and praising tariffs as inflation‑fighting tools (source [1]).
Jan 20, 2026 – A CNN poll shows 58% of Americans view the first year of Trump’s second term as a failure, highlighting a gap between his messaging and public perception (source [1]).
2026 (later in the year) – Midterm elections loom, setting the political backdrop for Trump’s self‑promotion and policy pushes (source [1]).