President Donald Trump at conservative political action conference, February 22nd, 2025. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore
Almost a year ago, the 2024 Presidential Election was in full swing. Like very major political campaign, the presidential candidates needed to address the economy of the United States.
Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed that his presidency would fix the economy and bring the United States to a new golden age. While there was skepticism, mainly from the left of the political spectrum about these claims, a lot of voters elected Trump because they thought he’d improve the economy.
Almost a year since the start of his second term, there are signs that the current Trump Administration is not living up its campaign claims on the economy. In fact, there is reason to believe that the economy has gotten worse since Inauguration Day, with the threat of a recession and high unemployment.
Did Trump supporters vote for a better economy or for other policies promised by the president?
On an NBCMontana YouTube video of a rally in Bozeman, MT on Aug. 9, 2024, Trump claimed he would “end inflation and make America affordable again”.
Then, on Nov. 4, 2024, Trump claimed on a recorded C-SPAN video, “a vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper”.
The Trump presidential campaign in 2024 was campaigning on an economic plan that would better the U.S. economy and lower prices.
Now, in September 2025, top-economist Mark Zandi claims that the chance of an economic downturn in the US was “uncomfortably high”.
A downturn can cause prices to fall, which is in line with Trump’s economic plan. However, an economic downturn is usually accompanied by larger unemployment rates, something that does not benefit a country.
According to Mark Zahn from ABC news, there are “911,000” fewer jobs compared to 2024.
On top of this, Andrea Shalal from Reuters reports that the International Monetary Fund states that the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration “pose some risks to inflation”.
This means any price dropping from an economic downturn has less of an effect with inflation right before. Meaning, America might not become more affordable, like the Trump Administration wants citizens to believe.
For example, Rex Huppke from US TODAY states that ground beef prices have went up “13%” and other examples for similar percentages on other goods.
The price of groceries going up directly contradicts the economic campaign of the Trump administration.
Lowering prices via a recession is already concerning due to the possibility of job loss. With the rise in prices, and the Trump Administration tariffs possibly playing a role, it is clear that the president is not actively lowering prices.
This is very different than what Trump wanted for the US economy in 2024. So, what does that mean?
Voters need to think critically about the claims politicians make on debate nights. As shown by the Trump Administration, politicians may not always keep their word. It’s important to stay educated on what candidates can and will do to fulfill their election promises.
