Everything Is Fine: Trump’s Cabinet Shrugs Off Shrinking Economy

Contraction? What contraction? So far as US President Donald Trump and his cupboard have been involved on Wednesday all was nicely with the economic system — and with the whole lot else.

Information that the US economic system unexpectedly shrank amid the chaos of Trump’s tariffs didn’t cease his prime staff taking turns to lavish reward on the president as they met on the White Home the day after he marked 100 days in energy.

In a nationalistic contact, pink and black baseball caps with the embroidered phrases “Gulf of America” had in the meantime been positioned in entrance of every senior official sitting across the big picket cupboard desk.

Billionaire Elon Musk even put one of many pink hats — which use the identify the administration has unilaterally decreed for the Gulf of Mexico — on prime of his personal signature black baseball cap.

“All people is excellent,” Trump stated through the marathon two-hour cupboard assembly in entrance of reporters. “I’ve by no means been so impressed.”

The 78-year-old Trump started by trumpeting his core subject of migration, hailing what he stated was an “superb job” of chopping migrant crossings over the border from Mexico.

When it got here to the economic system Trump’s essential message was to insist on the success of his sweeping tariffs — and accountable his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden for the economic system contracting within the first months of the Republican’s time period.

The billionaire tycoon had promised throughout his 2024 election marketing campaign to spice up the economic system and decrease inflation, however figures launched Wednesday confirmed US GDP contracted at an annual fee of 0.3 p.c within the first quarter.

“It is a huge ship to show round, and we will have the best nation, financially, within the historical past of the world,” Trump insisted.

Trump then turned to Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth to his left, joking that he was “my least controversial individual” — regardless of the rising “Signalgate” scandal over Hegseth’s use of the business app to debate airstrikes towards Yemen.

One after the other, Trump’s cupboard — which accommodates probably the most billionaires of any president’s prime staff — then took turns to sing the praises of their chief.

Hegseth, carrying a camouflage tie, credited Trump with a “recruiting renaissance” within the armed forces. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hailed “unbelievable” funding. Nationwide Safety Advisor Mike Waltz — additionally preventing for his job over Signalgate — stated the “world is much better and much safer” due to Trump.

Trump’s chief of employees Susie Wiles stated it was “100 days that is been unparalleled in my reminiscence, and one of the best, I can inform, ever.”

Scott Bessent, Trump’s treasury secretary broadly considered a stabilizing voice on tariffs, hailed Trump’s management as “momentous.”

The ever-combative Vice President JD Vance then launched into an assault on reporters within the room for “specializing in faux BS.”

On it went, with Musk finally taking his flip.

“Elon, I like the double hat,” Trump stated of the Tesla and House X tycoon. “He is the one one who can get away with that.”

“They are saying I put on a variety of hats. It is true — even my hat has a hat,” quipped Musk, who has been heading Trump’s cost-cutting drive on the so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity along with operating his companies.

However it may be one in all Musk’s final appearances across the cupboard desk the place he has beforehand been one of many star sights.

Musk just lately stated he’ll begin to take a step again from his cost-cutting function to give attention to his Tesla electrical automotive enterprise, amid protests at his involvement in Trump’s administration.

This time it was Trump’s time period to dish out reward.

“You have finished a incredible job,” Trump stated. “You recognize you are invited to remain so long as you need. In some unspecified time in the future, he needs to get again house to his vehicles.”