Trump Sees the U.S. as a ‘Disaster.’ The Numbers Tell a Different Story.

The New York Times ^ | Jan. 5, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET | Peter Baker

[E. Pluribus Unum]

To hear President-elect Donald J. Trump tell it, he is about to take over a nation ravaged by crisis, a desolate hellscape of crime, chaos and economic hardship. “Our Country is a disaster, a laughing stock all over the World!” he declared on social media last week.

But by many traditional metrics, the America that Mr. Trump will inherit from President Biden when he takes the oath for a second time, two weeks from Monday, is actually in better shape than that bequeathed to any newly elected president since George W. Bush came into office in 2001.

For the first time since that transition 24 years ago, there will be no American troops at war overseas on Inauguration Day. New data reported in the past few days indicate that murders are way down, illegal immigration at the southern border has fallen even below where it was when Mr. Trump left office and roaring stock markets finished their best two years in a quarter-century.

Jobs are up, wages are rising and the economy is growing as fast as it did during Mr. Trump’s presidency. Unemployment is as low as it was just before the Covid-19 pandemic and near its historic best. Domestic energy production is higher than it has ever been.

The manufacturing sector has more jobs than under any president since Mr. Bush. Drug overdose deaths have fallen for the first time in years. Even inflation, the scourge of the Biden presidency, has returned closer to normal, although prices remain higher than they were four years ago.

“President Trump...

[wardaddy]

Owner trying to transform LA Times now
As we speak

[Thomas Jerome]

America is far from a disaster. We do need some fixin’ Good that Trump is so ready to fix things. I hope and pray that he gets some cooperation. God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJBookman]

...consider the source

[Night Hides Not]

No, Peter, it’s a disaster.

Attributed to Mark Twain: there are 3 kinds of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Happy New Year, Jim!

[ridesthemiles]

THE NYT & IT’S ENTIRE STAFF LIVE IN A BUBBLE ONLY THEY CAN CREATE.

THEY have NO idea how the rest of the country lives.

[beaversmom]

Peter Baker may be living high on the hog, but for the 99 percent rest of us it’s a hell to one degree or the other. How many Vennie gangs are living next to Peter? Does Peter have to do labour to survive that takes a toll on his body? Is he seeing his savings dwindling? Does he have to stress over money constantly? Does he get devasted when someone steals his car, or rips out his ignition, or plows into the back of him and proceeds to drive away with no consequence? I guess not. Eff you Peter.

[Organic Panic]

And that warm yellow acrid liquid pouring down your face is rain.

[lgjhn23]

The NY Slimes are nothing but “pravda” for the communist RAT party...

[LegendHasIt]

And Syria.

And several quieter little wars in Africa

[DAC21]

Gonna believe your own lying eyes or Poindexter?

[tet68]

What planet do these folks live on, I want to go there.

[John S Mosby]

That is a face of a PETER PUFFER if there ever was one. Smug and holding it in... so to say. Thanks to R. Lee Ermey— and Chesty, where ever you are tonight, good night!

[Dave911]

And Peter, you are a delusional idiot.

[The Duke]

"But by many traditional metrics, the America that Mr. Trump will inherit from President Biden when he takes the oath for a second time, two weeks from Monday, is actually in better shape than that bequeathed to any newly elected president since George W. Bush came into office in 2001."

That's weird. I saw steaks for sale at the grocery for $25.00 that I was paying $13.00 for under Trump. Hey America, how's that 50% Biden pay cut working for ya?

[MrRelevant]

I know the banks say consumer credit and credit defaults now at historically high levels… personal savings and real wages are down. They can lie all they like , folks dont really have much faith in media or Washington at this point. Folks voted with their wallets in November…. NYT forgot about that.

[M Kehoe]

Hi.

From now on every NYT article posted I will bump like this...

1984

5.56mm

[pollywog]

I actually see the NYT as a dying piece of dog poo , or as a liner for bird cages!!

[Texas Eagle]

People still read The New York Times??? THERE’S yer story.

[FlingWingFlyer]

What would a bunch of jackasses working for the New Yawk Slimes know about numbers?

[yesthatjallen]

"wages are rising"

If you look at the link you will see wages crashed in 2020 and barely recovered during the Biden administration.