Trump declares golden age while Vance admits economic struggles

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

President Trump and Vice President Vance are offering conflicting messages about the US economy as consumer confidence hits a decade-low.

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance are giving strikingly different messages about the state of the American economy. Trump insists that 'the golden age of America is upon us' and has complained about being criticised for affordability issues, saying he had never heard the word used in that context before. Vance, by contrast, acknowledges the economic struggles voters are facing.

During a CBS News town hall on Saturday, Vance said 'I recognize that gas prices are too high right now' and 'we're working on it'. In Texas last month, he admitted 'there are people out there who are frustrated by the pace of progress'. His approach contrasts sharply with Trump's framing of the economy as already thriving.

The different messaging emerges as economic data shows significant headwinds. Americans' confidence in the economy sank to its lowest level in more than a decade this month, whilst mortgage rates jumped to their highest level in nearly three years and unemployment ticked up. Recent data also shows that high gasoline prices are intensifying inflation, with expensive oil and gas beginning to push prices up across other parts of the economy.

How it is being reported

• A 'golden age' vs. 'we're working on it': Trump and Vance give different pitches on the economyWhen Vice President JD Vance speaks on the campaign trail about the high costs Americans are facing, he often says he understands that people are hurting.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 05:01
• A 'golden age' vs. 'we're working on it': Trump and Vance give different pitches on the economyWhen Vice President JD Vance speaks on the campaign trail about the high costs Americans are facing, he often says he understands that people are hurting.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 05:01

In this story: Donald Trump · JD Vance · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem