New York Times political correspondent Maggie Haberman brushed off President Trump’s lack of concern about the prospects of a recession, calling it a “front.”
During a Friday evening appearance on CNN’s “The Source,” host Kaitlan Collins asked Haberman if she believed Trump was unconcerned about how his latest sweeping tariffs are affecting the U.S. economy.
“I think that that is the front that he is putting on,” Haberman responded. “They did get good news today in terms of the jobs front. Yes, the market numbers rebounded somewhat.”
“You are correct that he keeps saying things about prices that just don’t comport with reality,” she said, referencing a post on Truth Social where Trump suggested prices were “falling and everything is very, very low now.”
Haberman continued, “A bunch of replies, which are normally very praising of him, over the top praising, were saying, essentially: ‘Not where I live, Not where I live, Not where I live.’”
The veteran journalist then suggested there is a limit to how much Trump can say and have voters believe him.
“But right now, seems to believe himself,” Haberman said.
Her analysis comes after data showed the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) shrank during the first quarter of 2025 by 0.3 percent. Wall Street analysts have warned that the country might be headed toward a recession in light of the president’s trade war, which has shaken the global trade order.
Trump, however, has rebuffed concerns about economic uncertainty in the wake of his tariffs.
“Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say… Well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history. Why don’t you talk about them?” Trump said during an interview with NBC’s “Meet The Press,” set to air on Sunday.
When asked by host Kristen Welker if a recession might take place, the president said, “anything can happen, but I think we’re going to have the greatest economy in the history of our country.”
Earlier this week, he also cast blame on former President Biden for turbulence in the stock market, rejecting the notion that the volatility is due to the import taxes he levied on nearly all global trading partners.
“This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s,” Trump said Wednesday. “I didn’t take over until January 20th.”
“Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers. Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang,’” he added.
Despite the pushback, nearly half of U.S. adults in a recent survey said the current condition of the economy is Trump’s responsibility.