Difference Between Trump Economy and Obama Economy (With Table)

Trump’s economy was considered as the ‘greatest economy in history’ as he claimed, although it was barely an improvement.  The economy in the first term was scarcely over zero due to the pandemic, and the initial three years of Trump’s economy was 2.5 beside a slight difference from Obama’s economy. Besides, there was an increase in job gains until the pandemic hit, but the employment rate was not that good. 

Obama’s economy had its lows and highs. Besides, in the first term, the economic growth was just 1 percent. And in the second term, it was 2.3%. Although, with the comparison with Trump’s economy, there is a slight difference. As for the job gains, there was a growth in job gains in 2014 and 2015 second term of Obama. The rate continued to grow until the pandemic.

Comparison Table Between Trump Economy and Obama Economy

What is Trump Economy?

Trump quoted his economy as one of the ‘greatest economies in history’. Although, there was a slight improvement in the growth than before. There were highs and lows in the era of the Trump economy. But, there is no significant change in the economy at all. So, it cannot be regarded as the greatest economy. 

In the first term of the Trump economy, it barely crossed 1% in growth, and excluding 2020, it went 2.5%. Thus, the Trump economy spiked up almost more than the Obama economy. 

As for the job gains, the gain continued to spike up until the hit of the pandemic. It peaked in 2018, but there is an eminent job loss with the hit of the pandemic. Furthermore, 4.7% of jobs returned in August.  

In late 2019, it nearly dropped 3.5 percent in late 2019 and stayed till early 2020. Besides, Under trump, the employment rate was considerably low at 4.3. With the pandemic hit, it declined further. It reached 19.7 percent. Furthermore, it came back to 8.4 percent, but it is not high either. 

Another claim by Trump was that he had done much more for African Americans. Although, the black unemployment rate hit rock bottom in 2019 with the lowest level ever recorded in history. But, under Trump, it was 7.5 percent which was not at all much higher.  Again with the hit of the pandemic, it reached 13 percent.

Moreover, the U.S. stocks fell to 30 percent due to the pandemic, but they rose again in summer 2020. Although, the stock market doesn’t embark on the economy even though it is one of trump’s favorite indicators. 

With Trump’s administration, the number of Americans on food stamps declined. Thereby resulted in more job gains in 2020. Indeed, the rate dropped to 35.7 million in 2019. Furthermore, factories were to be recovered, but they didn’t gain as much employment as they should have. And as for home prices in the U.S. are alarmingly high. 

What is Obama Economy?

The influence of Obama on the economy was acknowledged by the natives. Although, it could have been far better than before. As it had been, there were highs and lows in different aspects.  

In the first term of Obama’s presidency, around 1 percent growth was shown in the economy. Meanwhile, in the second term, it was 2.3 percent. Thus, that couldn’t be considered a great economy, but it was good enough. 

As for job gains, it was a peak with more than 225,000 jobs a month in 2014 and 2015 second term of Obama. Furthermore, it started to grow since then, but it got hit due to pandemic. 

Moreover, the unemployment rate is still declining since 2009. Hence, that aspect lacked a lot as the unemployment rate affects the economy highly. But, black unemployment decreased significantly during Obama’s administration, although it was still at 7.5 percent.  

During the last two years of Obama’s administration, the middle-class income showed growth. Thus, he was credited for progress in the recovery of middle-class income.  

Besides, the food stamp showed a great recession in Obama’s administration as every 1 out of 6 Americans were dependent on government food aid. With the end of Obama’s presidency, it slightly showed some progress. Additionally, it also showed a recession in manufacturing at the end of Obama’s second term.

Lastly, Home prices were rising since 2011 and still showing progression in prices. Even pandemic hits didn’t bother the house prices slightly. 

Main Differences Between Trump Economy and Obama Economy

Trump economy and the Obama economy are always controversial debate topics. As voters are always concerned about the economy of the country. Thus, it is considered an eminent factor during and after administration. Both have their highs and lows, but there’s a significant difference between them. 

1. Trump’s economy in the first term was barely over zero. Meanwhile, Obama’s economy was over just 1 percent. 
2. Trump’s economy was at 2.5% in the initial three years excluding 2020. On the other hand, in the second term of Obama’s administration, growth rose to 2.3 percent.
3. Under Trump’s administration, 193,000 jobs were added averagely.  In contrast, In 2014 and 2015 Obama’s second term, 225,000 jobs a month were added that grew the economy.
4. In the Trump economy, unemployment was low at 8.4 percent. Meanwhile, in Obama’s economy, unemployment was 3.5 percent. 
5. In the Trump economy, the black unemployment rate was at 5.4 percent, but with the hit of the pandemic, it was at the lowest at 13 percent. In contrast, the black unemployment rate was at 7.5 percent in Obama’s administration. 
6. In the Trump economy, the middle-class income showed progression. Although, during the final two years of Obama’s administration, the middle-class income showed progression first and recovered a lot, thus Obama was credited for recovery.  
7.  Food stamps dropped to 35.7 million ‘the lowest record ever’ in 2019 during Trump’s administration that helped building up the economy. Meanwhile, Food stamps were worst as every 1 American out of 6 needed government food aid. 

Conclusion 

Natives are concerned about the economy as it is considered one of the eminent factors for a country. The Trump economy and the Obama economy are always compared, although both are scrutinized for different aspects. They have their highs and lows during their administration. 

Trump’s economy focused on many aspects, but the economy in the first term was barely above zero, and excluding 2020, in the first three years, it was 2.5 percent. The economy was significantly growing with an average jobs gain of 195,000 monthly. Still, the black unemployment rate was considered high, which was not addressed as it was at 5.4 percent but with the pandemic hit, it was at 13 percent, which was history’s lowest rate. Additionally, unemployment was reasonably less as well at 8.4 percent. However, there’s an improvement in food stamps as it dropped to 35.7 million in 2019. 

Meanwhile, In Obama’s economy, the first term economy was almost at 1 percent, and in the second term, it rose to 2.3 percent. In 2014 and 2015, the jobs gains were at their highest, with 225,000 jobs in a month. Also, unemployment was somewhat low at 7.5 percent as compared to Trump’s economy in August 2020. While, the unemployment rate was also at the lowest, with a rate of 3.5 percent. However, the food stamps were worst as 1 out of 6 Americans were relying on government food aid. 

References 

1. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.14321/rhetpublaffa.20.4.0695
2. https://www.manchesteropenhive.com/view/9781526135025/9781526135025.00019.xml