Trump maintains criticism of Biden over economic growth figures—Here’s what to know
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If you’ve been keeping up with recent headlines, a familiar narrative is taking shape from the White House.
Following a reported contraction in the US gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2025, President Donald Trump has attributed the downturn to policies from the previous administration.
He has also indicated that, if economic conditions remain the same, similar claims may be made about the upcoming quarter. But what’s really going on behind the numbers, and why is this blame game heating up now?
On the heels of a disappointing economic report, President Trump addressed the nation and his Cabinet, making it clear who he thinks is responsible for the negative GDP growth.
“This is Biden,” he declared, referencing the 0.3% annualized drop in GDP for the first quarter.
Trump argued that the economic woes are a direct result of Biden-era policies, saying, “You could even say the next quarter is sort of Biden because it doesn’t just happen on a daily or an hourly basis.”
Trump, who took office on January 20th, emphasized that the economic data reflects the situation he “inherited,” not the one he created.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, he doubled down: “This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s. I didn’t take over until January 20th.”
He also promised that his new tariffs would soon boost the economy, urging Americans to “be patient” and claiming, “Our country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang.’”
Fact-Checking the Claims: What’s Really Driving the Numbers?
While it’s common for new presidents to blame their predecessors for early economic troubles, the reality is often more complicated.
According to the Commerce Department, the recent GDP contraction was influenced by a surge in imports—companies rushed to bring in goods ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs.
Also read: Is a recession looming? Find out how tariffs might trigger it and when it becomes official
This “front-loading” of imports actually reflects anticipation of Trump’s own policies, not just a hangover from the previous administration.
Additionally, a significant drop in government spending, especially in defense, contributed to the negative numbers.
Meanwhile, a separate report from ADP showed private payrolls rose by just 62,000 in April—far below expectations and the weakest gain since July 2024.
The stock market responded with a sharp drop after the GDP report and disappointing corporate earnings, though it recovered some ground later in the day.
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
Tariffs, Uncertainty, and the “Trumpcession” Debate
The recent jobs report revealed the weakest hiring numbers since July 2024, with private payroll growth falling sharply from a downwardly revised 147,000 in March.
Following the GDP report and underwhelming corporate earnings, markets dropped significantly at the opening bell, though some losses were recovered later in the day.
The negative economic news loomed over President Trump’s scheduled meeting with over two dozen business leaders at the White House on Wednesday.
Critics noted that Trump’s continued efforts to blame Biden for poor economic results could undermine his recent attempts to highlight positive developments under his leadership.
Also read: What’s next for the US economy? A government official’s take on recession fears
In a speech Tuesday marking the 100th day of his second term, Trump claimed, “prices are coming way down,” adding, “that’s what I’ve done.”
However, the GDP report showed the personal consumption expenditures price index — the Federal Reserve’s key inflation gauge — rose by 3.6% in Q1, a notable jump from 2.4% in the previous quarter.
Some economists have attributed the weak payroll figures and declining consumer sentiment to growing uncertainty over Trump’s tariff agenda.
Trump’s current distancing from economic troubles mirrors his previous approach of claiming credit for a rising stock market during Biden’s presidency.
On Jan. 29, 2024, while still a candidate, he posted on Truth Social: “THIS IS THE TRUMP STOCK MARKET BECAUSE MY POLLS AGAINST BIDEN ARE SO GOOD THAT INVESTORS ARE PROJECTING THAT I WILL WIN.”
Source: CNN / Youtube.
What Do the Experts Say?
Andrew Bates, a former Biden White House spokesman, responded sharply: “When Joe Biden handed Donald Trump the best-performing economy in the world, experts praised the US for leaving every other wealthy nation ‘in the dust.’”
“Now we’re plummeting toward a Trumpcession,” Bates said.
Read next: Is this the clearest sign yet that a major recession is about to hit America?
Have you noticed changes in your own finances or spending habits lately? How do you feel about the current direction of the country’s economic policies? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
Following a reported contraction in the US gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2025, President Donald Trump has attributed the downturn to policies from the previous administration.
He has also indicated that, if economic conditions remain the same, similar claims may be made about the upcoming quarter. But what’s really going on behind the numbers, and why is this blame game heating up now?
On the heels of a disappointing economic report, President Trump addressed the nation and his Cabinet, making it clear who he thinks is responsible for the negative GDP growth.
“This is Biden,” he declared, referencing the 0.3% annualized drop in GDP for the first quarter.
Trump argued that the economic woes are a direct result of Biden-era policies, saying, “You could even say the next quarter is sort of Biden because it doesn’t just happen on a daily or an hourly basis.”
Trump, who took office on January 20th, emphasized that the economic data reflects the situation he “inherited,” not the one he created.
President Donald Trump blamed former President Joe Biden for the US economy contracting in the first quarter of 2025. Image source: ABC News / Youtube.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, he doubled down: “This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s. I didn’t take over until January 20th.”
He also promised that his new tariffs would soon boost the economy, urging Americans to “be patient” and claiming, “Our country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang.’”
Fact-Checking the Claims: What’s Really Driving the Numbers?
While it’s common for new presidents to blame their predecessors for early economic troubles, the reality is often more complicated.
According to the Commerce Department, the recent GDP contraction was influenced by a surge in imports—companies rushed to bring in goods ahead of Trump’s promised tariffs.
Also read: Is a recession looming? Find out how tariffs might trigger it and when it becomes official
This “front-loading” of imports actually reflects anticipation of Trump’s own policies, not just a hangover from the previous administration.
Additionally, a significant drop in government spending, especially in defense, contributed to the negative numbers.
Image source: DW News / Youtube.
Meanwhile, a separate report from ADP showed private payrolls rose by just 62,000 in April—far below expectations and the weakest gain since July 2024.
The stock market responded with a sharp drop after the GDP report and disappointing corporate earnings, though it recovered some ground later in the day.
Source: ABC News / Youtube.
Tariffs, Uncertainty, and the “Trumpcession” Debate
The recent jobs report revealed the weakest hiring numbers since July 2024, with private payroll growth falling sharply from a downwardly revised 147,000 in March.
Following the GDP report and underwhelming corporate earnings, markets dropped significantly at the opening bell, though some losses were recovered later in the day.
The negative economic news loomed over President Trump’s scheduled meeting with over two dozen business leaders at the White House on Wednesday.
Critics noted that Trump’s continued efforts to blame Biden for poor economic results could undermine his recent attempts to highlight positive developments under his leadership.
Also read: What’s next for the US economy? A government official’s take on recession fears
In a speech Tuesday marking the 100th day of his second term, Trump claimed, “prices are coming way down,” adding, “that’s what I’ve done.”
However, the GDP report showed the personal consumption expenditures price index — the Federal Reserve’s key inflation gauge — rose by 3.6% in Q1, a notable jump from 2.4% in the previous quarter.
Some economists have attributed the weak payroll figures and declining consumer sentiment to growing uncertainty over Trump’s tariff agenda.
Trump’s current distancing from economic troubles mirrors his previous approach of claiming credit for a rising stock market during Biden’s presidency.
On Jan. 29, 2024, while still a candidate, he posted on Truth Social: “THIS IS THE TRUMP STOCK MARKET BECAUSE MY POLLS AGAINST BIDEN ARE SO GOOD THAT INVESTORS ARE PROJECTING THAT I WILL WIN.”
Source: CNN / Youtube.
What Do the Experts Say?
Andrew Bates, a former Biden White House spokesman, responded sharply: “When Joe Biden handed Donald Trump the best-performing economy in the world, experts praised the US for leaving every other wealthy nation ‘in the dust.’”
“Now we’re plummeting toward a Trumpcession,” Bates said.
Read next: Is this the clearest sign yet that a major recession is about to hit America?
Have you noticed changes in your own finances or spending habits lately? How do you feel about the current direction of the country’s economic policies? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
