Trump's economic sales pitch is that the economy was doing great before COVID-19. Let's see what the reality is by looking at these major indicators up to the end of 2019 and comparing them to Obama's 2nd term.
Real GDP (annual avg)
Trump: 2.5%
Obama: 2.2%
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPC1#0
Stock Indexes (percent gain)
Trump: S&P +44%, Nasdaq +67%
Obama: S&P +53%, Nasdaq +74%
Real Wage Growth (annual avg)
Trump: 0.8%
Obama: 1.1%
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/real-average-weekly-earnings-up-0-point-7-percent-from-february-2019-to-february-2020.htm
Real Wage Growth, Production and Non-Supervisory (annual avg)
Trump: 0.8%
Obama: 1.4%
Inflation (CPI annual avg)
Trump: 2.1%
Obama: 1.1%
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/about-us/monetary-policy/inflation-calculator/consumer-price-index-1913-
Average Annual Deficit (inf adj 2012 $)
Trump: $732 billion
Obama: $667 billion
https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1929_2020USk_11s1li011mcny_G0f_Deficits_In_Inflation-adjusted_Dollars
Non-Elderly Without Health Insurance
Trump: 10.2% in 2017, 10.4% in 2018 (2019 data not yet available)
Obama: 16.8% in 2013, 10.2% in 2017
https://www.kff.org/uninsured/issue-brief/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/
Summary
There is no rational case for the Trump economy being good, even before the corona crash. Of all these indicators, Trump has an edge in only one: total production. In everything else, Obama outperforms Trump. Under Obama, wages grew faster (especially for blue collar workers), inflation was lower, the stock markets gained more, the federal government ran smaller deficits, and 20 million Americans gained health insurance.
If Obama gets a C for his economy, Trump deserved a D- heading into 2020
Real GDP (annual avg)
Trump: 2.5%
Obama: 2.2%
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPC1#0
Stock Indexes (percent gain)
Trump: S&P +44%, Nasdaq +67%
Obama: S&P +53%, Nasdaq +74%
Real Wage Growth (annual avg)
Trump: 0.8%
Obama: 1.1%
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2020/real-average-weekly-earnings-up-0-point-7-percent-from-february-2019-to-february-2020.htm
Real Wage Growth, Production and Non-Supervisory (annual avg)
Trump: 0.8%
Obama: 1.4%
Inflation (CPI annual avg)
Trump: 2.1%
Obama: 1.1%
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/about-us/monetary-policy/inflation-calculator/consumer-price-index-1913-
Average Annual Deficit (inf adj 2012 $)
Trump: $732 billion
Obama: $667 billion
https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1929_2020USk_11s1li011mcny_G0f_Deficits_In_Inflation-adjusted_Dollars
Non-Elderly Without Health Insurance
Trump: 10.2% in 2017, 10.4% in 2018 (2019 data not yet available)
Obama: 16.8% in 2013, 10.2% in 2017
https://www.kff.org/uninsured/issue-brief/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/
Summary
There is no rational case for the Trump economy being good, even before the corona crash. Of all these indicators, Trump has an edge in only one: total production. In everything else, Obama outperforms Trump. Under Obama, wages grew faster (especially for blue collar workers), inflation was lower, the stock markets gained more, the federal government ran smaller deficits, and 20 million Americans gained health insurance.
If Obama gets a C for his economy, Trump deserved a D- heading into 2020