Is the economy as healthy as Trump claims?

Let’s really talk about it. Donald Trump often talks about how great the economy is and how it’s stronger than ever since he took office. Truth be told, American citizens’ faces tell a different story. Inflation has raised the cost of everyday necessities like food,gas,housing, making it harder for families to keep up even when salaries continue to rise. A “healthy” economy shouldn’t leave people choosing between groceries and rent , yet that’s what millions go through. While Trump is busy painting a perfect country in front of others ranting about unstoppable growth, inflation shows how unstable our economy is and not as thriving as he claims.

 

Inflation is negatively affecting the U.S by reducing the power people have to purchase, raising the cost of overall living expenses. AMS Assistant Principal Ms. Russiello says,’’I do not believe the economy is as healthy as President Trump claims. You can see this in our steady unemployment rate. You can see things in inflation, something as simple as the grocery bill that was once$100 is now well over $250.”The prices of items continue to rise whilst the pay wages are rising fast enough. Events such as the governmental shutdown continue to affect hard workers trying to provide for their families. Most workers’ paychecks don’t get them as far as they used to.According to CBS  news, incomes have fallen about 1.2% behind inflation. Low income families are struggling the most since they spend their money on necessities which keep getting more and more expensive. According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics , “Over the past year, food and home prices rose 2.7%. The largest food increases were in meats, poultry, fish, and eggs (5.6%), followed by nonalcoholic beverages (4.6%) and dining out (3.9%). Meanwhile, gasoline and fuel oil prices dropped by 6.6% and 0.5%, but electricity and natural gas prices rose sharply by 6.2% and 13.8%. Housing costs climbed 3.6%, and other major increases occurred in medical care (3.4%), household furnishings (3.9%), motor vehicle insurance (4.7%), and used cars and trucks (6.0%).” Because of this many people have to cut back on spending , and it’s becoming harder for them to save money and live comfortably.” Overall, inflation is making things harder for us Americans.

To me and many others the U.S. economy isn’t as healthy as Donald Trump says it is because prices are still high, jobs are slowing down, and people are losing confidence in their money situation. In August 2025, the U.S. only added around 22,000 jobs, and unemployment went up to 4.3%, which shows fewer people are finding work. AMS teacher Mr. Latortue says,  “I think inflation is terrible. I think it hurts not just myself, but you think about families who are actually struggling, who are actually working really hard,for their families and they’re not even able to get simple things like food because things are so expensive.”

Many Americans are also worried about rising prices and the cost of living. A report found that consumer confidence dropped sharply as people fear prices will keep going up and the economy will slow down. Everyday essentials like food, gas, and rent are still getting more expensive, and wages haven’t increased enough to keep up. This means even though some numbers make the economy look strong, most people are still struggling to afford basic things. AMS student Zhariya Jackson says, “I don’t like inflation because of the fact that they’re raising all the taxes and stuff. It’s making it hard for people to buy things because not everybody’s fortunate in life. For the people who got the poor, well, not poor, but the less fortunate, they are having more of a harder time. 

Overall, research shows that the economy isn’t as strong as Trump claims, because many families continue to feel the pressure of inflation and slower job growth.

Some people think the U.S. economy is actually doing better than others say because wages and spending are still strong. In 2025, reports showed that wages went up by about 4.8%, which means people are earning more money than before. People are also still spending money on things they need and want, even though prices are higher. For example, spending went up 0.7% in March 2025, and retail sales rose about 0.6% in June 2025.Supporters of Trump’s claims say this proves the economy is still strong because people are working, earning, and spending more. So even if inflation is still around, these numbers show that the economy might be healthier than most people think.

 

To fix the problems in the U.S. economy, the government, the media, and citizens all need to take action. The government should work harder to control inflation, create more well-paying jobs, and make sure wages rise along with the cost of living so families aren’t struggling to afford basic needs. Lawmakers also need to listen to the people, not just large corporations, and pass policies that help working families, small businesses, and young people trying to build a future. The media plays an important role too—it should share accurate, balanced information about the economy instead of only reporting what benefits one political side. Citizens also have a big responsibility. People should stay informed about what’s really happening, think critically about what they hear, and use their voices to demand change. This means voting for leaders who care about economic fairness, supporting local businesses, and speaking out when policies hurt their communities. If everyone—government, media, and citizens—works together, the U.S. can build a stronger, more stable economy that truly supports all Americans, not just the wealthy few.