President Donald Trump has never been shy about selling a success story. But his latest economic boast, clipped and shared widely across X, is drawing more eye-rolls than applause.
In the now-viral moment, Trump declares: “I’m popular and I’ve done well. I think we have the greatest economy, actually, ever in history. We have to get the word out.”
It’s a classic Trump formulation — absolute, confident, and delivered without hesitation. The message is simple: the economy is booming, he’s widely liked, and the only real issue is messaging.
The reaction online suggests otherwise. What followed was a wave of sarcastic replies and sharp pushback.
And I’m a natural fucking blonde who never fucking swears.
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) February 10, 2026
If the economy is great you don’t need to get the word out. People will see it for themselves. How was it possible for anyone to be this fucking stupid?
— Marlene Robertson🇨🇦 (@marlene4719) February 10, 2026
That argument is at the heart of the backlash. If the economy were truly the “greatest… ever in history,” as Trump claimed, Americans would presumably feel it without a marketing campaign.
Recent polling paints a far more complicated picture. According to a CBS News/YouGov survey, only 36% of Americans describe the economy as “good,” while a majority say it is either fairly or very bad.
Confidence numbers tell a similar story. A Pew Research Center survey found that public confidence in Trump’s handling of major issues, including the economy, remains sharply divided and underwater overall.
Even some staunch MAGA leaders are starting to push back, warning that Trump’s core supporters are frustrated over rising costs and everyday expenses — issues he promised to fix. According to The Washington Post, this growing economic dissatisfaction is causing cracks in his base, highlighting that even loyal voters aren’t immune to sticker shock.
None of this means every macroeconomic indicator is bleak. GDP growth, employment figures, and certain market measures have shown resilience in recent quarters. But economic perception, especially in politics, is less about spreadsheets and more about grocery receipts.
When rent, food, utilities, and insurance remain stubbornly expensive, phrases like “greatest economy ever” can land as tone-deaf.
Trump’s line, “We have to get the word out,” also raised eyebrows for another reason. Critics interpreted it not as a communication strategy but as an admission that the lived experience doesn’t match the narrative. The implication: if people don’t believe the economy is great, perhaps they just haven’t heard it enough.
That framing echoes a familiar political pattern — if approval lags, double down on messaging.
Yet approval data doesn’t exactly support the popularity claim either. Several national surveys in early 2026 show Trump’s job approval hovering in the high 30s to low 40s, far from the broad consensus implied by “I’m popular.”
Featured image via X screengrab
