On the economy, Trump tries to tell voters not to believe their lying eyes

President Donald Trump is assuring Americans that the economy is thriving just as the midterm campaign enters its final stretch, and MS NOW contributor Steve Benen argues that message collides with what voters experience. Over a recent weekend and again at a Monday White House event, Trump asserted that prices on "almost" everything have "come way down" and described today's economy as the best the country has ever had. In the Oval Office he also seemed to tell reporters they were twice as wealthy as before, crediting himself.

The economic indicators cited point in the opposite direction. Axios finds that wages have been outpaced by inflation for most of this year while loans have become far costlier, and the Wall Street Journal found the misery index, a blend of inflation and unemployment, now sits above its level when Trump's second term started. Benen adds that fuel and heating costs are up, mortgage rates exceed 7%, and farmers are under strain.

Public opinion reflects the discontent. In a CNN survey released last week, 66% said Trump's agenda has left economic conditions worse, 28% rated conditions as good, and 27% approved of how he is handling the economy. Benen contends that a president in this position would ordinarily acknowledge the frustration and promise improvement, whereas Trump is urging people to trust him over their own finances, a tactic Benen calls a losing proposition with voters.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →