AP Fact Check Challenges Trump Economic Claims as 32% Approve Despite 159 Million U.S. Jobs
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
AP Fact Check Challenges Trump Economic Claims as 32% Approve Despite 159 Million U.S. Jobs
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 6
Summary
Only 32% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, an AP-NORC poll found, even as he touts record jobs, stocks, manufacturing and exports ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
159 million U.S. jobs in June marked a record, but hiring has slowed sharply in Trump’s second term: payrolls rose just 9,700 a month last year and 92,000 a month so far in 2026.
64 S&P 500 record closes since January support Trump’s market boasts, though the rally has been driven by strong profit growth, lower oil prices and AI enthusiasm, while war-related uncertainty has fueled volatility.
7 straight months of manufacturing expansion culminated in July’s strongest reading since May 2022, yet factory employment remains weak, with 95,000 fewer jobs than before Trump returned to office.
June goods exports totaled $206.9 billion after an April record of $221.8 billion, and Trump’s broader investment claims appear overstated against a $5.7 trillion annual private-investment pace and $266 billion rise in foreign direct investment last year.