While running his third campaign for the White House in 2024, President Donald Trump promised that he would immediately jump-start the (already objectively strong) U.S. economy if elected.
"Starting on Day 1, we will end inflation and make America affordable again," Trump said at a Montana rally in August of last year. "This election is about saving our economy."
But now that he's nearly eight months into his second term, Trump is moving the goalposts. During a press gaggle in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that Americans may have to wait until 2027 in order to see any significant improvement in the economy. His remarks came on the same day the August jobs report showed a disappointing 22,000 jobs created — roughly 50,000 fewer than initially projected.
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"We were on a very downward path with [former President Joe] Biden. And I heard the most we could was one percent GDP, and now I'm hearing 3.2 percent and three and a half percent," Trump said. "And our big year won't bereally next year, I think it'll be the year after. Because when these plants start opening up — it takes a period of time to build them — we're gonna have tremendous job. It's unprecedented."
The president's comments quickly attracted a wave of ridicule on social media. Pennsylvania-based Democratic consultant J.J. Abbott mockingly tweeted: "Golden Age (2027-??)" in response to Trump's remark. Baseball writer Chris O'Leary sarcastically posted to his X account: "Trump has to tank the economy so he can save it." Comedian Gabe Sanchez quipped: "Surprised he didn't say two weeks," in reference to Trump's tendency to consistently estimate two-week timelines for major projects. Sports journalist Ryan McKinnell reminded his followers: "the economy was booming before Trump took office."
"Then he tanked everything for Vladimir Putin," he added.
"Trump's economic genius strikes again, promising prosperity in 2027 after tanking it for everyone else in the meantime," progressive influencer Richard Angwin tweeted.
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