As Donald Trump gears up for his second term as president, he’s not holding back on social media, calling the United States a “disaster.” But is that really the case? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers, and you might be surprised by what’s actually going on.
According to a recent report from The New York Times, the stats seem to tell a different story than Trump’s claims. Here’s what the data says:
- Crime rates are down: Murders are at their lowest in years.
- Border security: Illegal immigration at the southern border is actually lower than when Trump left office.
- The economy is booming: The stock market just had its best two-year run in 25 years! Jobs are increasing, wages are rising, and the economy is growing just as quickly as it did during Trump’s presidency.
- Unemployment: It’s at historic lows—just as low as it was before the pandemic hit.
In fact, as Peter Baker points out, when Trump takes office on January 20, he’ll inherit an economy in better shape than any newly elected president since George W. Bush in 2001.
Let’s remember the bigger picture: during his campaign, Trump’s warned about out-of-control immigration, crime, and inflation. However, The Times notes that he’s entering office with a far more stable situation than other presidents before him.
Think about it:
- Ronald Reagan inherited double-digit inflation and an unemployment rate twice as high.
- Barack Obama stepped into office with two ongoing foreign wars and a financial crisis.
- Joe Biden had to navigate a devastating pandemic and its economic fallout.
But now, according to economists like Mark Zandi from Moody’s Analytics, Trump is about to inherit a U.S. economy that’s performing at a level most other countries can only dream of—it’s growing faster post-pandemic than it did before.
And William J. Antholis from the University of Virginia points out that Trump will be walking into a much-improved situation, contrary to his campaign rhetoric.
So, while Trump’s claims may have raised eyebrows, the reality paints a very different picture. After Biden’s tough first term, he’s handing over an economy that’s stronger than ever, with lower crime rates and a more secure border.
Bottom line: The “disaster” Trump talks about may not be as bad as it sounds. In fact, he’s stepping into one of the best economic situations in recent history.
