TCT-ECO-013 · Economy
“Greatest economy in the history of our country”
Statement and context
“We had the greatest economy in the history of our country.”
June 27, 2024, presidential debate, Atlanta.
What the evidence shows
Before COVID-19, unemployment reached a 50-year low and household income rose. But real GDP growth did not set a historical record: annual growth was 2.5% in 2017, 3.0% in 2018, and 2.6% in 2019 under current BEA tables, below many earlier expansions. The term ended amid the 2020 pandemic recession and net job losses. “Greatest” also lacks a defined metric.
Unverifiable. The superlative has no stated benchmark; on common measurable indicators, the record was mixed and not uniformly historical.
Sources and attribution
Tracker research synthesis; inspect the linked evidence and research record.