Fact-check · Sep 12, 2026 · Donald Trump
“We had the greatest economy. Even though we got hit at the end with the COVID, we had the greatest economy we have we have had.”
MISLEADING
What the record shows
Pre-COVID GDP growth 2017-2019 averaged 2.3-2.9% (BEA); unemployment fell to 3.5% by Feb 2020; stock markets reached record highs by end-2020. However, 2020 GDP contracted 3.4%, and 'greatest economy' is subjective with no single metric confirming this across the full term.
Sources
- GDP by State | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- U.S. Economy at a Glance | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- US GDP Growth Rate by Year - Multpl
- Gross Domestic Product | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- Real Gross Domestic Product (A191RL1A225NBEA) | FRED | St. Louis Fed
- Real Gross Domestic Product (A191RL1Q225SBEA) | FRED | St. Louis Fed
From: President Trump Delivers Remarks to U.S. Embassy Personnel and Business Leaders
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