Trump Says It’ll Be ‘Sort Of Biden’ If GDP Keeps Dropping—After Blaming Him For Shrinking Economy

Forbes - Apr 30th, 2025

President Donald Trump has attributed the 0.3% decrease in the U.S. GDP for the first quarter of 2025 to the policies of former President Joe Biden. During a televised Cabinet meeting, Trump insisted that the quarterly numbers do not reflect the performance of his administration, which took office in January 2025. He further suggested that the potential drop in the second quarter could also be linked to Biden's tenure. Trump's comments come despite his previous claims of ownership over stock market gains, which he attributed to investor confidence in his electoral victory and leadership.

The current economic decline marks the weakest performance since early 2022, with negative GDP growth being a rare occurrence over the past decade. The Trump administration's policies, including sweeping tariffs, reductions in government spending, and federal workforce cuts, have been cited as contributing factors to the recent economic challenges. Despite these issues, Trump remains optimistic about the long-term benefits of his economic strategies, asserting that the positive effects are forthcoming. The ongoing debate among economists about a potential recession underscores the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economic outlook under Trump's leadership.

Donald Trump Joe Biden Tariffs Economic Policy Recession U.S. Gdp

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RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of current economic issues and political statements, particularly focusing on President Trump's attribution of economic performance to former President Biden. While the article is generally accurate and clear, it could benefit from more diverse perspectives and deeper analysis to enhance balance and engagement. The reliance on Trump's statements without extensive external verification or expert commentary limits the article's potential impact and transparency. Overall, the story effectively communicates key points to the public but could improve by incorporating a broader range of sources and viewpoints.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims, such as the 0.3% GDP drop in the first quarter of 2025 and Trump's attribution of this drop to Biden's policies. These claims are generally accurate and align with available data. However, the article could improve by providing more context on the typical attribution of economic trends to presidential policies, which often reflect decisions made in previous quarters. Additionally, Trump's contradictory statements regarding stock market performance under Biden and himself are accurately reported, but the article could benefit from including more external analysis to verify these claims.

Balance

The article primarily presents Trump's perspective on the economic situation without offering substantial counterpoints or expert opinions. While it mentions economists' views on the potential recession due to tariffs, it lacks a diverse range of perspectives that could provide a more balanced view of the economic policies and their impacts. Including more voices, such as those of economic analysts or opposition politicians, would enhance the article's balance.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It effectively presents Trump's statements and the economic context, making it accessible to readers. However, the occasional lack of detailed explanation for complex economic terms or trends could hinder understanding for readers unfamiliar with such topics.

Source quality

The article cites direct statements from President Trump, which are reliable as firsthand accounts. However, it does not extensively reference external sources or experts to corroborate or challenge these statements. The inclusion of more authoritative sources, such as economic reports or analysis from financial institutions, would strengthen the article's credibility and provide a more comprehensive view of the economic situation.

Transparency

The article provides some context for Trump's statements, such as previous claims about the stock market. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology behind economic claims, such as the impact of tariffs and the attribution of economic trends to specific administrations. More explicit disclosure of how these claims are supported or challenged by data would improve the article's transparency.

Sources

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/us-economy-trump-gdp-trade-war-b2742333.html