President Donald Trump spent the weekend promoting his record on crime, immigration, and trade, arguing that his tariff-driven economic strategy has delivered growth without inflation as the first year of his second term draws to a close.
In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed national crime rates are at historic lows, crediting what he described as the most effective southern border operation the country has ever seen. He also said US employment has reached record highs, pointing to job growth as further proof that his policies are working.
In a separate message, the president defended his aggressive use of import tariffs, calling them a source of “great wealth” and stronger national security. He said the US trade deficit has been cut by 60 percent, highlighted a reported 4.3 percent GDP growth rate, and repeated his claim that inflation has been eliminated.
Trump has repeatedly linked recent economic data to his tariff agenda. Commerce Department figures released earlier in the week showed the economy expanding at an annual rate of 4.3 percent, driven by higher exports and increased consumer spending. Trump praised the numbers online, insisting the results would continue to improve under his trade policies.
Economic affordability was a central theme of Trump’s 2024 campaign, where he promised to rein in inflation and lower prices. While he has continued to argue that costs are falling, recent inflation data tell a more mixed story. A November report showed food prices rising 2.6 percent over the past year, even as gas prices edged slightly lower.
Trump has nonetheless offered glowing assessments of the economy. In a recent interview with Politico, he said he would give the current economy an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus,” while blaming former President Joe Biden for price spikes earlier in the decade. He said prices peaked before he took office and are now easing.
Legal uncertainty still hangs over Trump’s tariff policy. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh whether the president has the authority to impose sweeping trade rates without direct congressional approval under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Several businesses have also filed lawsuits, arguing the import taxes have hurt their operations and widened company-level deficits.
Despite continued focus on affordability, Trump has faced skepticism from voters. Recent polling suggests many Americans do not credit the president with improving their personal financial situation. Trump has dismissed affordability concerns as politically manufactured by Democrats, even as the issue proved influential in recent elections.
The president has suggested that prices and consumer costs will be a decisive factor in the 2026 midterm elections. With tariffs generating more than $200 billion in revenue this year, according to US Customs and Border Protection, Trump is betting that economic momentum and pricing trends will ultimately work in his favor.
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