Discussion quality would be improved if instead of focusing on what you think I implied, you focused on what I clearly said.
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The Trump Card...
- Thread starter muttly
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Anytime you want to do a real analysis of the economic indicators to gauge Trump's effect on the economy let me know. Cherry picking a single item out of context does not cut it. But if cherry picking is your thing, note these:
- Highest tax increase in US History. In April, 2025, Trump said, "We’ve brought in over $1.5 trillion from tariffs. Nobody ever thought we could do that. The United States is stronger than ever."
- US dollar decline of 10% since Trump took office on 2025.
- Current unemployment rate: 4.6% (Nov. 2025 number). To find a time when the rate was higher than that you have to go back 4 years, 2 months when post-COVID recovery was the dominate economic theme.
It’s called inheriting a Biden economic failure. Do you always pull out your pompoms and root against the economy from doing well just because Trump is president?
Another Cherry-Picked Economic Indicator Out of Context
It can be good fun citing a single indicator out of context and then claim Trump is responsible for what the indicator shows. Here's one more:
The Purchasing Managers' Index is a monthly economic indicator derived from surveys of private sector executives that tracks the health of the manufacturing and services sectors by measuring variables such as production levels, new orders, and employment. A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity compared to the previous month, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction.
The whole point of Trump's tariffs is to increase US manufacturing. The numbers show they are producing the opposite effect. When you combine rising unemployment with declining US manufacturing, and attribute the results to Trump policies, the man looks like an idiot.
It can be good fun citing a single indicator out of context and then claim Trump is responsible for what the indicator shows. Here's one more:
The Purchasing Managers' Index is a monthly economic indicator derived from surveys of private sector executives that tracks the health of the manufacturing and services sectors by measuring variables such as production levels, new orders, and employment. A reading above 50 signifies an expansion in business activity compared to the previous month, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction.
The whole point of Trump's tariffs is to increase US manufacturing. The numbers show they are producing the opposite effect. When you combine rising unemployment with declining US manufacturing, and attribute the results to Trump policies, the man looks like an idiot.
Classic Trump response: Blame Biden for everything that makes Trump look bad.
Regarding "root against the economy," I do not root for or against it.
I have lived through and learned from several economic crises. I remember waiting in gas lines in the 70's. I remember the Federal Reserve's "Volker hikes" where US interest rates hit 20%. I remember the dot-com collapse. I remember the huge Black Monday stock market crash of 2017. I remember the Savings and Loan Crisis. These are not academic studies. These are personal memories of lived experience etched into my mind.
In all of these, I have never once rooted for or against the economy. Nor have I made a financial decision based on the politics of the time.
For a current example, consider gold and silver. Trump began his second term on Jan 20, 2025. Notice the change in gold and silver. Here are the numbers:
Does Trump get the credit for that price increase (greatest single-year move since the late 70's)? Is this change good or bad for the US economy? Should Trump be blamed for the increase? Going forward, should we root for higher prices or lower?
Those questions are irrelevant unless you find it gratifying to spend meaningless hours relating everything to your political point of view.
Don't make decisions based on what you think the president may do. Make decisions based on what you think (in this case) bullion may do.
Rooting for the economy is meaningless. The economy does not care what you think.,
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