Over the last 18 months, Donald Trump and his administration repeatedly promised Americans that the economy would improve, but in reality, economic growth is sluggish while prices remain sky-high. As Americans soured on Trump’s disastrous economy, Trump officials consistently projected 4%+ GDP growth for the second quarter of 2026. However, new data released last week revealed that U.S. economic growth slowed to a dismal 1.5%, sharply missing their promised target.
Meanwhile, prices are still up 3.7% compared to last year, while the Personal Saving Rate, which measures Americans’ disposable income, sits at 2.7%, the lowest rate in four years.
In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
“As Americans struggle under Donald Trump’s economy, Trump and his administration continue to kick the can down the road to avoid accountability for the economic disaster they have unleashed with their reckless policies. Trump and his cabinet promised a booming economy, yet working families are still struggling to keep up with sky-high prices, while Trump doubles down on his disastrous trade war and deadly and costly war with Iran. Most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck — barely keeping their head above water — and the only thing Trump and his allies have offered is empty promises while dismissing Americans’ financial concerns.”
Over the past year, several Trump administration officials repeatedly promised a booming second quarter driven by Trump’s economic policies.
- National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett in May: “GDP for the second quarter is looking north of 4%, and that’s because people are confident in the Trump economy.”
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in February: “I think we’re going to have a very strong number for 2026 for the second quarter.”
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in December: “Look for the second quarter of 2026 to be amazing as all this money comes back into the economy from this big beautiful bill.”
- Lutnick in December: “You’re going to be north of 4 [percent GDP growth] next year. And you do help me come on in the second quarter and play this back, and you’re going to see amazing numbers… I won’t be wrong.”
- Bessent in December: The economy “will be very strong” by the end of the second quarter with “4% real growth.”
- Bessent in November: “I think we are, we are going to see a substantial acceleration in the economy in the first, second quarters… Americans are going to feel it in the first quarter, second quarter.”
- Hassett in September: “The golden age is going to be documented so well in the data by next summer that you’re going to have one of the best speeches written for you that you’ve ever seen because we’re just going to be talking about the accomplishments of the next year.”
