In a recent exclusive interview with NBC News, former President Donald Trump made a bold claim: he deserves credit for the "good parts" of the current economy, while the "bad parts" should be blamed on his successor, President Joe Biden. But what does this really mean, and how does it stack up against the economic reality?
Shifting Blame to Biden
Trump's comments come as the U.S. economy continues to face a mix of positive and negative indicators. While job growth has remained relatively strong, inflation and concerns over a potential recession loom large. Rather than taking full responsibility, Trump has sought to draw a distinct line between the "Trump economy" and the "Biden economy."
"I think the good parts are the Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he's done a terrible job," Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker. However, as Politico reports, Trump did not elaborate on how he differentiated the two, leaving many scratching their heads.
The Reality of the Current Economy
The truth is, the current economic landscape is a complex mix of factors, many of which predate both Trump and Biden's tenures. As CNBC has reported, Trump's own policies, such as his sweeping tariffs, have contributed to the economic uncertainty the country is now facing.
Moreover, NPR has noted that the U.S. economy actually shrank in the first quarter of 2025, a major reversal from the previous year's growth. This hardly paints the picture of a thriving "Trump economy."
The Bigger Picture
The reality is that the economy is a complex system, influenced by a myriad of factors both domestic and global. While presidents can certainly shape economic policy, they do not have full control over the ebbs and flows of the market. By attempting to neatly divide the current economy into "his" and "theirs," Trump is engaging in political posturing rather than acknowledging the nuanced reality.
The true test will be how the economy fares in the coming months and years, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. Voters would be wise to look beyond the partisan rhetoric and focus on the tangible impacts on their wallets and livelihoods.