Trump says he has done a ‘bad job’ explaining his economic record

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump spoke at a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the White House, admitting that he has done a very bad job explaining his economic record. His job approval rating is declining due to high gasoline prices ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump, addressing a supportive audience, claimed that the country is in better shape than ever before, despite the economic challenges.

He urged his supporters to vote in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the need to turn things around. However, many American voters are giving Trump low marks in public opinion polls for his handling of the economy, which has been affected by global tariff policies and the war on Iran. The Conference Board reported that US consumer confidence fell to a 12-1/2-year low in September, with households anticipating worsening business and labor market conditions over the next six months.

Despite job growth accelerating in August, consumers remain pessimistic about the job market, even as home prices rise, adding to the burden of increasing mortgage rates. Trump plans to campaign in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ohio in the coming days, with the Republican Party increasing its spending on competitive seats as voters become disillusioned with the economic consequences of the Iran war.

Trump attributes the poor communication about the economy to his administration, acknowledging that they are not effectively promoting their strong stewardship of the economy.