As the United States receives a wave of positive news, from strong economic performance to diplomatic victories, former President Donald Trump finds himself in an increasingly precarious political position. The country’s improving outlook, which includes robust job growth, cooling inflation, and key international agreements, has left Trump struggling to maintain his narrative of a nation in decline under the current administration. For a politician who has built much of his platform on the idea that only he can “Make America Great Again,” the recent good news has been a blow to his efforts to stage a political comeback.
The U.S. economy, which had been a point of concern for many Americans, is now showing signs of remarkable recovery. With unemployment at historic lows and job creation surging across various sectors, the Biden administration has been touting its handling of the economy as a success story. Inflation, which had previously been a thorn in the side of many households, has started to ease significantly, giving consumers and businesses alike some much-needed relief. These economic wins have not only improved public sentiment but also undercut Trump’s frequent criticisms of the Biden administration’s economic policies. Trump had long claimed that the country was on the brink of financial disaster under Biden, but these developments make it harder for him to sell that narrative to voters.
Adding to Trump’s frustrations is the recent string of foreign policy successes under the Biden administration. Key diplomatic wins, including successful trade agreements with key global partners and renewed international cooperation on climate change and security, have left Trump’s “America First” approach looking increasingly out of step with the current global landscape. While Trump had emphasized a more isolationist and transactional foreign policy during his time in office, Biden’s focus on multilateral diplomacy and alliances is yielding visible results, further diminishing Trump’s claims that his approach was the only one capable of keeping America strong on the world stage.
Public opinion reflects the shift in sentiment. Polls show that Americans are starting to feel more optimistic about the direction of the country, with approval ratings for Biden inching upward as the positive news rolls in. This is particularly damaging for Trump, who has relied heavily on framing the Biden administration as incompetent and incapable of managing the country effectively. With more Americans feeling good about the economy and the country’s international standing, Trump’s message of “doom and gloom” is becoming harder to sell.
Trump has responded to this wave of good news in typical fashion—by lashing out on social media. In a series of posts on his platform, Truth Social, Trump dismissed the economic recovery as “fake news” and accused the Biden administration of manipulating data to make itself look good. He also reignited his baseless claims of election fraud, suggesting that the good news was part of a broader plot to distract the public from what he continues to call a “rigged” political system. However, these claims have not resonated as strongly with the public as they once did, with many Americans more focused on the tangible improvements in their daily lives.
The former president’s allies have also found it difficult to maintain their attacks on the current administration in the face of such positive developments. While many Republican leaders continue to criticize Biden on other issues, the improving economy and foreign policy wins have made it more challenging to stick to the narrative that the country is in crisis.
As Trump gears up for a potential 2024 presidential run, the combination of a strong economy and diplomatic success poses a serious challenge to his campaign. With fewer avenues to criticize the Biden administration on substantive issues, Trump may be forced to pivot his messaging. For now, though, the former president is suffering politically as the United States enjoys a period of great news—news that makes it increasingly difficult for him to regain his political foothold.
