Trump Claims ‘Surging Economy’ at End of His Tenure; Critics Cite Pandemic and Capitol Riot Reality

On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump addressed an audience in Asheville, North Carolina, and presented an optimistic view of the economic conditions at the end of his presidency, a portrayal sharply contested by critics who pointed out the dire reality of the time.

During what was billed as an economic speech, Trump diverted into familiar territory, launching into critiques of his adversaries and promoting his achievements. He claimed that he had left President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with a “surging economy,” asserting, “We had some of the greatest periods of economic growth and health that any country has ever seen, I think, probably more than any country has ever seen.”

“You never had it so good. Now you’re not doing so well,” Trump added, reflecting on his tenure’s economic record. However, Trump’s depiction of a thriving economy stands in stark contrast to the conditions when he departed office in January 2021. At that time, the United States was grappling with its deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw over 95,000 lives lost.

Additionally, just days into 2021, a violent mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Economic indicators also painted a less rosy picture. The unemployment rate stood at 6.3% as the nation struggled to recover from the extensive job losses incurred during the early months of the pandemic.

These job losses had been exacerbated by Trump’s handling of the crisis, which included downplaying the severity of COVID-19, questioning medical advice, and suggesting that the virus might simply “go away.” For comparison, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.3% last month.

Journalist Aaron Rupar highlighted Trump’s comments by sharing a clip of his speech, prompting a wave of responses from critics who contrasted his claims with the harsh realities of his final days in office. The current criticism underscores a broader debate about the legacy of Trump’s presidency and the economic and public health conditions that characterized the end of his term.