Multiple Fox programs pushed claims that the Trump economy would see soaring economic growth of 4-5% following an April 9 interview with one of President Donald Trump’s economic advisers. But a day later, two guests on Fox Business’ flagship morning program shot down this fantasy.
On Thursday’s edition of Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett boasted that Trump's “policies are going to create a golden age” and reiterated his projection of 4-5% economic growth this year. Anchor Maria Bartiromo responded, “Wow, so you still look for 4-5% growth for this year?” Hassett replied: “Yes, that’s right, that’s right, because productivity’s already giving us 2.5, and so if we get a little out of everything else, then you can get way north of three.”
Throughout the day, multiple Fox programs also suggested that economic growth could soar to meet Hassett’s expectations.
Dagen McDowell, co-host of Fox Business’ The Bottom Line, aired video of Hassett’s interview, and boasted that “there is a great deal to be optimistic about,” citing Trump’s tax cuts for the rich as well as the supposedly “great” performance of “trucking and freight, … the manufacturing industry, [and] the industrial economy.” In reality, economic reports for these sectors show that they have shed tens of thousands of jobs under the Trump administration.
On Fox Business’ The Big Money Show, anchor Geri Willis said: “I will point out that the president’s economic adviser is saying economic growth of 4-5% this year. That is not just a good year, that is a fantastic year. That is firing on all cylinders.” Even though Willis’ co-hosts expressed some skepticism, she continued: “But they’re continuing with that target, that’s what I found so interesting. He reiterated it today.”
“I think it’s difficult too, I completely agree with you,” she added. “But I think the fact that they’re not dialing it back tells me maybe there’s something in this negotiation I don’t know about.”
On Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, network contributor and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino argued Trump has “produce[d] results” including “4% GDP growth” (GDP growth was 2.1% last year) and “tame inflation” (the Consumer Price Index inflation measurement jumped 0.9% in March due to gasoline price spikes from Trump’s Iran war, the highest monthly increase in nearly four years, and is up to 3.3% over the past year).
Yet when Fox Business anchor Cheryl Casone asked panelists on the April 10 episode of Mornings with Maria about Hassett’s prediction, they refused to play along with this fantasy pushed by the network. Economist John Lonski said: “I don’t think it’s going to happen, OK? Even before the conflict, the consensus forecast had real GDP growing by something closer to 2% as opposed to 4-5%.” Lonski added, “Dream on.” Harris Financial Group managing partner Jamie Cox agreed, saying, “That is a moonshot. … I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Fox personalities have previously made exaggerated predictions that the Trump economy could achieve between 4-5% economic growth, only to get a slap in the face as economic releases prove them wrong.
