During a recent exclusive interview at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump spoke with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker about the U.S. economy and the possibility of a recession. The conversation covered Wall Street predictions, economic recovery, and Trump’s long-term outlook.
Trump Remains Confident in Economic Outlook
Welker questioned Trump about concerns from financial analysts warning of a possible recession. Trump pushed back, calling the current moment a “transition period,” and expressed optimism about the future.
“We’re in a phase of adjustment. I believe we’re going to see fantastic results,” Trump said confidently.
When asked whether he would accept a short-term downturn in exchange for long-term economic goals, Trump redirected the conversation.
“You say some people on Wall Street are worried. But many believe we’re heading for the best economy we’ve ever seen,” he said. “Why don’t we talk about them?”
Media Debate Over Recession Terminology
Some media outlets have recently raised alarms about a potential “Trumpcession,” despite ongoing economic struggles from recent years under President Joe Biden.
This debate isn’t new. In July 2022, after the U.S. economy shrank for two straight quarters—a traditional sign of recession—several media organizations, including NPR, emphasized that this alone doesn’t officially qualify as a recession.
Fake News NBC: "Some people on Wall Street have expressed concerns…"@POTUS: "Some people on Wall Street say that we're going to have the greatest economy in history. Why don't you talk about them?" pic.twitter.com/GzCCRTVC7V
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 2, 2025
According to NPR:
“While two consecutive quarters of negative growth is often considered a recession, it’s not the official definition. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a nonpartisan group of economists, makes the final call.”
The NBER considers various economic factors beyond GDP before declaring a recession, including income, employment, and consumer spending.
Trump and the 2024 Economic Conversation
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, economic conditions and how they’re defined are becoming key issues. Trump continues to position himself as the candidate of economic strength, insisting that better days are ahead.
About The Author
