CAUTION: NO SINGLE NUMBER CAN TELL THE WHOLE STORY
Trump’s Final Numbers
By Eugene Kiely, Brooks Jackson, Brea Jones, D’Angelo Gore, Lori Robertson and Robert Farley
Statistical indicators of President Trump’s four years in office.
Summary
The statistics for the entirety of Donald Trump’s time in office are nearly all compiled. As we did for his predecessor four years ago, we present a final look at the numbers.
The economy lost 2.9 million jobs. The unemployment rate increased by 1.6 percentage points to 6.3%.
Paychecks grew faster than inflation. Average weekly earnings for all workers were up 8.7% after inflation.
After-tax corporate profits went up, and the stock market set new records. The S&P 500 index rose 67.8%.
The international trade deficit Trump promised to reduce went up. The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services in 2020 was the highest since 2008 and increased 40.5% from 2016.
The number of people lacking health insurance rose by 3 million.
The federal debt held by the public went up, from $14.4 trillion to $21.6 trillion.
Home prices rose 27.5%, and the homeownership rate increased 2.1 percentage points to 65.8%.
Illegal immigration increased. Apprehensions at the Southwest border rose 14.7% last year compared with 2016.
Coal production declined 26.5%, and coal-mining jobs dropped by 16.7%. Carbon emissions from energy consumption dropped 11.5%.
Handgun production rose 12.5% last year compared with 2016, setting a new record.
The murder rate last year rose to the highest level since 1997.
Trump filled one-third of the Supreme Court, nearly 30% of the appellate court seats and a quarter of District Court seats.
Biden’s Numbers, January 2024 Update
Our latest quarterly look at various statistical measures during Biden’s presidency.
By Eugene Kiely, Brooks Jackson, D’Angelo Gore, Robert Farley, Lori Robertson and Sean Christensen
Posted on January 25, 2024
Summary
Here’s how the United States has fared since President Joe Biden took office three years ago:
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The economy added more than 14 million jobs. The number is now nearly 4.9 million higher than before the pandemic.
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The unemployment rate dropped back to just above the pre-pandemic low; unfilled job openings again outnumber unemployed job seekers.
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Inflation spiked to the highest level in over 40 years. Despite recent moderation, consumer prices are up nearly 18% overall during Biden’s time. Gasoline is up 29%.
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Average weekly earnings haven’t kept pace with prices. After adjusting for inflation, “real” weekly earnings declined 3.4%.
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Defying expectations, the nation’s economy expanded 2.5% in 2023, marking the third straight year of economic growth.
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Crime data show a decrease in murders in U.S. cities in 2022 and 2023.
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The S&P 500 has increased 28.2%.
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The number of apprehensions of those trying to cross the southern border illegally remains near historical highs. For the 12 months ending in November, apprehensions are up 296%.
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For the third straight year, gun purchases declined, as measured by background checks for firearm sales.
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Crude oil production is up 12.7%; imports are up 8.7%.
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The trade deficit for goods and services is about 20.9% higher.
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The number of people without health insurance has gone down; enrollment in Affordable Care Act marketplace plans is at its highest point yet.
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The number of people receiving federal food assistance has declined by more than 700,000.
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The publicly held debt has increased by about 24.7%.