Donald Trump slammed for 'bragging' about 'supposed strong economy' he inherited from Barack Obama

ATKINSON, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Former President Donald Trump, fresh off his triumph in the Iowa caucuses, returned to New Hampshire with a rally in Atkinson on Tuesday evening, January 16.

Addressing his supporters, Trump asserted that his administration had overseen "the greatest economy in the history of the world with record unemployment rates".

Trump hopes to recreate economic glory

Trump's campaign speeches, known for delving into unconventional topics, consistently highlight his role in building what he claims is "the greatest economy in our history" prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and his promise to revive it.

"Under the Trump administration, we [had] the greatest economy in the history of the world with record unemployment rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans," Trump affirmed to his supporters.

"Our country is at stake, and we have to focus all our resources, our energy, our effort in defeating Biden and all these radical leftists," he added.

Despite facing 91 criminal charges in state and federal courts, a devoted crowd waited in the snow to attend the event, which was scheduled to commence at 5 pm.

"I like what he did before – everything was good in the country," Peter Polasek told WMUR.

Supporters of the former president were undeterred by his ongoing legal battles.

Earlier in the day, Trump appeared in a New York City courtroom for the first day of a defamation trial related to a civil lawsuit filed by columnist E. Jean Carroll.

Internet reacts to Trump's claims

That said, Trump's claim that the US had "the greatest economy in the history of the world with record unemployment rates" under his administration did not sit well with fans of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

"The truth about the SUPPOSED strong Trump economy: He inherited it from Barack Obama. He brags about it like he made it. That would be like me moving into a beautifully painted and furnished apartment and claiming I designed it. Trump inherited greatness and then squandered it," one posted on X.

"He was the first president to leave office with fewer Americans employed than there were at the start of his term since Hoover," another wrote.

"If Trump is speaking, breathing, tweeting, thinking, or sleeping, he’s LYING," someone else alleged.

"Saying it does not make it so. And repeating it so often does not make it any less of a lie," another remarked.

Economic claims under scrutiny: Trump vs Obama

According to NBC News, a comparison of key economic indicators from Obama's second term to the first three years of Trump's presidency, before the pandemic, suggests a continuation of existing trends rather than a transformative shift.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates under Trump, averaging 2.5 percent quarterly, closely mirrored those under Obama in his second term, at 2.4 percent. Trump's claim of aiming for a 4 percent annual economic growth rate also faced scrutiny, as the actual figure remained closer to 2.5 percent.

Looking at job numbers, Trump rightfully boasts about the low unemployment during his presidency. In December 2019, the unemployment rate hit a remarkable 3.5%, the lowest in 50 years.

However, it's crucial to note that when Trump assumed office, the unemployment rate was already at 4.7%. While this is low by historical standards, it had experienced a significant drop by December 2017, reaching levels not seen since the Great Recession.

Obama's second term, in comparison, witnessed a more substantial decline of 3.3 points in the unemployment rate, whereas Trump's first three years saw a decrease of 1.2 points. This highlights a consistent downward trend under Obama and suggests that the numbers under Trump might be more of a continuation than a radical change, per NBC News.

New Hampshire primary and Vivek Ramaswamy's endorsement

Having said that, Trump is continuing his campaign with five scheduled rallies in New Hampshire before the upcoming primary on January 23. While leading in polls, the former president faces some competition, notably from former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

In a dramatic turn of events, Trump secured the endorsement of Vivek Ramaswamy, who dropped out of the race after a less-than-favorable showing in the Iowa caucuses.

"I would endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States and I told him I would do everything in my power to lead us to victory in this war," Ramaswamy declared after announcing the end of his 2024 campaign.

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