Trump claims booming economy in Iowa, but early 2026 data shows mixed, uneven results.

Trump stated that the U.S. During a trip to Iowa, the economy is "booming" in an effort to deflect attention from Minnesota's criticism of immigration enforcement. Early 2026 economic data, however, reveals mixed results: consumer confidence is falling, job growth in important sectors is slowing, and inflation is still higher than the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Wage growth and productivity have lagged, and rising interest rates and household debt are putting pressure on consumers, even though employment and some spending indicators show some strength. The assertion of a booming economy is not clearly supported by independent analyses, which point to a robust but uneven recovery.