Trump’s Economy Falters as Americans Brace for Harder Times

As President Donald Trump marks the early days of his second term, the economic promises that once stirred hope across the country are giving way to growing anxiety.

Leading economists are now warning that the United States could be heading into a recession. Millions of Americans are already feeling the pinch, struggling to keep up with the soaring costs of gas and groceries while sinking deeper into credit card debt and mounting car payments.

Business leaders, desperate for a few weeks of stable federal policy, are facing unpredictable swings in Washington. Farmers are grappling with the loss of key federal food funding contracts, forcing many to scale back production. Nonprofit organizations nationwide are laying off staff as Trump’s administration enacts sweeping spending cuts.

Adding to the strain, Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have injected new levels of uncertainty into the economy. JPMorgan analysts report that some businesses, facing higher costs, have begun passing those expenses directly to consumers. In response, American families are rushing to purchase big-ticket items, fearing prices will climb even higher in the months ahead.

The disjointed approach from the White House — from sudden tariffs to sweeping budget cuts — has left both markets and households jittery. For Americans like Traci Dixon, a certified nursing assistant from Independence, Missouri, the everyday hardships are mounting. Despite Trump’s bold claims of an economic revival beginning on “Day 1,” the promised boom remains painfully out of reach.

“I thought this year would bring dramatic change for the better,” Dixon said. “But all I see is darkness — and it’s only April.”

As the 100-day mark approaches, it is clear that for many, the economic reality is far removed from the lofty promises once made on the campaign trail.