Trump pushes back on Dems’ claims of weak economy: ‘My admin has driven inflation to lowest level’
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump emphasized his economic achievements as he opened his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, February 24.
He contrasted the current economy with its performance under his predecessor, Joe Biden, and criticized Democrats for voting against the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill, pointing to the law’s tax cuts as a key success.
Trump touts lower inflation, gas prices at SOTU
President Donald Trump said, “The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country. But in 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation to the lowest level in more than five years, and in the last three months of 2025, it was down to 1.7%”
“Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor, it was quite honestly a disaster, is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states and in some places $1.99 a gallon.”
Trump made the remarks as Democratic lawmakers criticized the administration on affordability ahead of the State of the Union, arguing that the president has done little to reduce costs.
The most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics put national inflation at 2.4% in January, closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Trump criticizes Dems for blocking One Big Beautiful Bill
President Donald Trump criticized Democrats during his State of the Union address for opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax and spending package Republicans passed in Congress this year.
The bill extends and expands Trump’s tax cuts and includes spending priorities such as defense and border security. It faced unified Democratic opposition and was divisive within the GOP before becoming law.
“Every single one of them voted against [it],” Trump said on the House floor, highlighting Democratic resistance while emphasizing the tax breaks and other provisions in the legislation. Some Democrats were seen scoffing and voicing disagreement, particularly over provisions critics said would cut healthcare funding and other social services.
Democrats argue the bill’s tax cuts disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals and corporations while reducing support for programs such as Medicaid and food assistance, concerns that drove much of their opposition.
