In recent conversations about the economy, Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, has used the stock market as a platform to criticize the current administration while touting his own leadership. He has consistently attributed his potential electoral victory to positive trends in the stock market, suggesting that investor confidence hinges on his anticipated return to office.
Throughout the past year, Trump has used his presence on Truth Social and various public events to connect economic fluctuations directly with political outcomes. In January 2024, he claimed that soaring stocks were evidence of investor faith in his prospects against President Joe Biden. As financial indexes fluctuated, he offered commentaries that often credited positive changes to his influence while attributing downturns to what he called “Bidenomics.”
In March 2024, Trump attributed stock market resilience to polling data favoring his potential re-election, despite high inflation and interest rates impacting the middle class. By April, however, he characterized the market as suffering due to the incumbent president’s economic policies before his presidency ends.
The former president maintained his narrative in May 2024, praising financial experts and asserting that the stock market’s strength resulted from expectations of his victory. He even alluded to historical economic disasters, suggesting a crash if the opposing party were to win the upcoming election. Trump’s comments during this period positioned himself as the pivotal factor preventing financial decline.
Through the latter half of 2024, Trump continued to interweave stock market trends with his political fortunes. In rallies and speeches, he reiterated that victory in the upcoming election would trigger an economic upswing, while defeat would lead to catastrophe. His remarks highlighted the stark contrast he aimed to draw between his economic vision and the current administration’s policies.
As the year concluded, Trump linked market accomplishments to his past term, recounting records set during his tenure. Yet, despite asserting influence over market performance, by early 2025, Trump showed a more cautious tone. In interviews, he emphasized the challenges and transitions the country’s economy faced, advocating for the benefits of his trade policies despite potential risks.
Throughout early 2025, Trump frequently addressed questions about potential recessions and market volatility. He expressed confidence in long-term economic growth, insisting that his strategies, though tough, would yield substantial gains. He blamed past economic challenges on his predecessors, especially emphasizing inflation and other issues he believed he was remedying.
In his speeches and media interactions, Trump sought to reassure both the public and investors of a positive financial future, often stressing his unique ability to drive economic prosperity. By shaping the narrative around his anticipated success, he positioned himself as the central figure capable of navigating and revitalizing the nation’s economy.