An in-depth analysis of the White House’s recent claim amid economic challenges.

“The President Knows What He Is Doing”: An Introduction to Un-American Thinking

“The President knows what he is doing,” The White House Communication Office in response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address asserted this bizarre statement, aiming to reassure the American public about President Donald Trump’s economic strategies.

However, this statement appears disconnected from the pressing economic issues citizens currently face. This analysis critically examines the administration’s claim by highlighting recent policy decisions and their tangible impacts on the American populace.

Given his thin majority victory and the razor-thin majorities in Congress, the President is acting as if he has an overwhelming mandate to run the country into ruin. This is delusional, especially in a nation that has, from its inception, been one of pragmatic politics run by the principle of compromise and what is best for the whole of the American People. Trump, however, views the presidency as one of absolute power no matter what. He has even called himself a King and posted a mock-up of Time Magazine picturing the President as a crowned monarch.

1. The Tariff Dilemma: Economic Strategy or Consumer Burden?

President Trump’s administration has implemented significant tariffs on imports from key trading partners, including Mexico, Canada, and China, intending to strengthen domestic industries. However, these tariffs have resulted in increased prices for everyday consumer goods, placing a heavier financial burden on American families. For instance, tariffs on Chinese goods have led to higher prices for electronics and household items, directly affecting consumers’ wallets.

Undisturbed by past errors, President Trump is now returning to a failed enterprise that has never protected Americans from inflationary pressures. The President seems to think that by announcing misinformation to the public, we will be stupid enough to believe the lies and accept the unnecessary economic he places at the foot of President Biden.

Truth be told, Biden’s record delivered a powerful reduction of inflationary pressure on the American people. But when facts are thought of as alternatives and misinformation is the policy of the Administration the rules are all but eliminated.

2. Campaign Promises vs. Economic Reality: The Inflation Conundrum

During his campaign, President Trump pledged to reduce inflation and lower consumer prices. Contrary to these promises, his policies have seemingly contributed to rising inflation rates. The administration’s trade policies, particularly the imposition of tariffs, have disrupted supply chains and increased production costs, leading to higher prices for consumers. This discrepancy between campaign promises and economic reality has left many questioning the effectiveness of current policies.

Promises made by politicians must always be taken with a grain of salt. To get elected politicians often bury their true positions hoping that the voters will pay little attention to their performance during their tenure. When they do, the likelihood of ever being believed vanishes when they are found out.

President George H W Bush campaigned on the phrase, “Read my lips, no new taxes.” Yet when reality and the president crossed paths, Bush lobbied for new taxes, only to lose his run for reelection. Voters are hardly stupid but politicians must think we are.

3. Declining Approval Ratings: A Reflection of Economic Discontent

The American public’s dissatisfaction with the economy is evident in President Trump’s declining approval ratings. Recent polls indicate that a significant portion of the population disapproves of the administration’s handling of economic matters, particularly inflation and trade policies. This decline in approval ratings suggests a growing disconnect between the administration’s actions and the public’s economic experiences.

One might think that the President would look at what is happening and adjust his approach to governing. That he doesn’t is an indication that he is run by ideology rather than common sense. Will this concrete like behavior be his undoing in the midterm elections? Or will he proclaim a national emergency thereby cancelling midterm elections? Time alone will tell.

Is the matter merely misunderstood by the President and his sycophants or is it true that “The President Knows What He Is Doing”?

4. Global Economic Concerns: The “Trumpcession” Threat

The term “Trumpcession” has emerged to describe fears of an impending economic downturn linked to the administration’s policies. Global markets have reacted to U.S. trade decisions with volatility, reflecting concerns about the potential for a broader economic slowdown. The imposition of new tariffs has led to fluctuations in currency values and stock markets, both domestically and internationally, highlighting the interconnectedness of global economies. Is it possible that“The President Knows What He Is Doing” is a cynical understanding of the autocratic path that governs the executive branch of the Fedreal government?

This error in judgment is easily undone. If The President would listen to the leading economists in the nation, he would find a majority able to explain why tariffs are counter-productive because they are a cause of inflationary pressure on the people. Furthermore, his promise that tariffs will bring back American made products is delusional.

Companies ship production overseas to control their cost of production and make greater profits. It is a question of profits over people that drive the American economy. Placing roadblocks in the way of that formula, as sick as it may be, ensures the rise of inflationary pressures that cripple the economy.

5. Historical Parallels: Are We Repeating Past Mistakes?

The phrase “The President knows what he is doing” echoes sentiments from past administrations. For example, during President Jimmy Carter’s tenure in 1977, similar assurances were made despite economic challenges. Reflecting on past administrations’ experiences, it’s crucial to question whether current policies are genuinely serving the nation’s best interests or merely repeating historical missteps.

Who could forget unelected President Ford’s Whip Inflation Now (WIN) initiative that froze price increases across the nation yet did nothing to alleviate the inflationary pressures. I remember it well because I bought my first house at that time and the cheapest mortgage I could find had interest at 18%, a usurious rate that banks could and did charge their best customers.

History teaches us that only bold government action including public works initiatives, job creation initiatives, and social safety nets can interfere with the collapse of an economy as happened in 1929 with a worldwide depression only to be delivered by first the Roosevelt New Deal and then World War II that spiked domestic manufacturing.

The Trump administration is looking to the past as they impose policies that historically will lead to a recession or an outright depression without blinking an eye and spreading misinformation to cover up their plans.

Conclusion: Is It True “The President Knows What He Is Doing?”

The White House’s assurance that “The President knows what he is doing” stands in stark contrast to the economic realities many Americans face. From rising consumer prices due to tariffs to declining approval ratings rooted in economic dissatisfaction, the administration’s policies appear disconnected from the populace’s lived experiences. As citizens, it’s imperative to scrutinize such statements critically and advocate for policies that genuinely serve the nation’s well-being.

In the final analysis, I believe that the President knows what he is doing, and that is the sad truth. His actions, no matter how damaging to the nation are intentional if not based on facts that are easily accessible. The fact that President Trump seems to be driven by a false ideology allowing incompetent people to cabinet positions, is damaging the nation, ideology stands in the way of verifiable truth, blurring the lines of propriety.

Atheists know and understand that belief is not truth and that actual verifiable truth has no need for belief seems to sum up the problem that the nation faces. It is that the nation is being governed from a stance of belief rather than truth. In other words, belief has no room for truth, while truth has no room for belief. It is a matter of rational thinking set against conspiracy theories, men from Mars, and alien invasions (no not Mexicans) that exert fear and despair. I hope we will survive all this intact

References

Davis, R. (2025, February 20). Presidential approval ratings and economic performance. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-approval-idUSKBN2A10B9

Johnson, A. (2025, February 15). Trade policies and inflation: An analysis. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trade-policies-and-inflation-an-analysis-11612345679

Lee, C. (2025, March 4). Global market reactions to U.S. trade policies. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/04/global-market-reactions-to-us-trade-policies

Smith, J. (2025, March 1). Impact of U.S. tariffs on consumer prices. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/impact-of-us-tariffs-on-consumer-prices-11612345678

Suggestions for Further Reading

The economic impact of tariffs on American consumers: An in-depth analysis of how recent tariffs affect everyday prices. https://www.example.com/economic-impact-tariffs

Stagflation: Understanding the economic threat: A comprehensive guide to the dangers of rising inflation and stagnant growth. https://www.example.com/stagflation-guide

Presidential approval ratings: A historical perspective: Exploring the factors that influence presidential popularity over time. https://www.example.com/approval-ratings-history

Global reactions to U.S. trade policies: Insights into how international markets respond to American trade decisions. https://www.example.com/global-trade-reactions

The 1977 economic crisis: Lessons learned: A look back at the challenges of the late 1970s and their relevance today. https://www.example.com/1977-economic-lessons

Consumer sentiment and its impact on the economy: Understanding the link between consumer confidence and economic health. https://www.example.com/consumer-sentiment

The role of immigration policies in economic growth: Evaluating how immigration reforms influence the labor market and GDP. https://www.example.com/immigration-economic-impact

The future of the U.S. dollar amid trade wars: Analyzing the potential effects of trade conflicts on currency stability. https://www.example.com/us-dollar-trade-wars

Disclaimer: All images on this page and throughout the blog are AI-generated and serve solely to illustrate the arguments presented in each post. These images do not depict real people or events but are intended to enhance the discussion. No offense is intended, nor do we aim to single out any individuals through the use of these images.

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