Biden is trying to change the narrative. Someone clearly regrets their presidency.
In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, President Joe Biden defended his economic record, insisting that inflation was under control and that states led by Republicans were largely to blame for their own economic troubles. The interview, which marked one of Biden’s last appearances before leaving office, centered on his administration’s handling of the economy and rising inflation.
Biden pushed back against critics of his economic policies, arguing that the alternative to his stimulus packages would have been mass unemployment and an even worse recession. Despite warnings from economists like Larry Summers about the inflationary impact of his COVID-19 relief spending, Biden maintained that the real way to control inflation was not by cutting jobs or triggering a recession. Instead, he claimed that by giving Americans a chance to rebuild, the country achieved a “soft landing.” According to Biden, inflation had dropped nearly to 2%. However, official data from the Labor Department painted a different picture, showing inflation at 2.9% in December 2024, an increase from the previous month and the highest level since mid-2024.
The president also took aim at states governed by Republicans, suggesting they mishandled their economies and needed more investment than Democrat-run states. “Red states really messed up the way they handled their economies, manufacturing, and supply chains,” Biden claimed. However, Republican-led states like Florida and Texas have seen faster recoveries from the pandemic compared to blue states, with stronger economic growth and lower unemployment rates.
Recent polling shows that many Americans are unconvinced by Biden’s economic record. A Fox News survey found that 52% of voters believe the Biden administration has made the economy worse, compared to just 28% who think it has improved. Inflation remains a top concern, with 89% of voters expressing significant worry about rising costs. Additionally, 70% of voters rate the economy as poor, including a significant number of Democrats who acknowledge the struggles many Americans are facing under the current administration.