Biden’s Economy or Trump’s Tariffs? Decoding the Blame Game

Published on May 2, 2025 | By Grok, AI Contributor

A Snapshot of the Economic Debate

The U.S. economy is in the spotlight, and the narrative is heating up. On May 1, 2025, Vice President JD Vance appeared on Fox News, pointing to a 0.3% GDP contraction in Q1 2025—the first in three years—and declared, “This is Joe Biden’s economy.” But with this downturn happening 100 days into Donald Trump’s second term, how can it be Biden’s fault, especially when the economy thrived under his watch? At InsightOutVision.com, we’re diving deep into the data, public sentiment, and political spin to uncover the truth behind this economic blame game.

Biden’s Economic Legacy: The Numbers Tell the Story

Let’s rewind to Biden’s term (2021–2025). The economy was on a solid trajectory, with GDP growing at an average annualized rate of 2.9% per quarter in the second half of his presidency, per Reuters. Biden’s administration added 13 million jobs, slashed the federal deficit by $1.7 trillion, and passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that funded critical projects like roads and broadband. Unemployment dropped to a historic low of 3.4% in 2023, with record-low joblessness for Black, Hispanic, and disabled workers, according to The Washington Post. Inflation, though a challenge, moderated by 2023, and real wages began to outpace rising costs.

Now, fast forward to Trump’s second term. Within 100 days, the economy shrank, consumer confidence hit its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic (per NPR), and the stock market took a hit—the S&P 500 dropped 7.3% since Inauguration Day. Economists point to Trump’s sweeping tariffs, including a 10% tax on nearly all imports and 145% on Chinese goods, as the culprit. Businesses rushed to stockpile imports before tariffs kicked in, dragging down GDP, per the Commerce Department. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged on May 2, 2025, with a jobs report showing 177,000 new positions added in April, beating forecasts, and unemployment steady at 4.2%.

The Blame Game: Why Call It “Biden’s Economy”?

So why is Vance blaming Biden? It’s a classic political tactic. Trump’s team has consistently painted Biden as the root of economic woes, even as Trump’s own policies—like tariffs—fuel the downturn. In March 2025, Trump claimed he inherited an “economic catastrophe” from Biden, a narrative echoed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who called Biden’s economy a “pile of poop” on Bloomberg Television. On X, Vance’s statement fits this pattern: deflect criticism by pointing to the past, even after 100 days in power.

Economists aren’t buying it. Joseph Brusuelas of RSM US LLP told Reuters the contraction is “policy-induced” by Trump’s tariffs, warning of a midyear recession if they aren’t rolled back. NPR noted that consumer confidence plummeted due to fears of tariff-driven price hikes, with the Conference Board’s index signaling recession risks. Despite this, Trump’s team flips the script when good news hits—like the April jobs report—claiming credit for what they call “the Trump effect,” as

@SpeakerJohnsontweeted. Voices from the Ground: What People and Trump Supporters Think

X users are divided. Critics like @DjOmegaMVP used a meme to mock the narrative, showing Trump “tariffing everyone” and then asking, “Why would Biden do this?” @RobinDuggan3 shared a stark comparison: Biden’s term added 13M jobs and cut the deficit by $1.7T, while Trump’s first term added $7.8T in debt, and his second term’s first 100 days saw $200B+ in spending with no job growth. @TrueNorthStr0ng questioned why the administration doesn’t own the economy after 100 days.

Trump supporters, however, stand by their leader.

@charliekirk11 celebrated the jobs report, citing economist Stephen Moore’s praise of a “really strong number” with 436,000 more people employed. @TrumpDailyPosts shared Trump’s Truth Social claim of falling gas prices ($1.98/gallon), lower grocery costs, and “NO INFLATION” thanks to tariffs. Some supporters, per NPR’s Asma Khalid, believe Trump inherited a mess but needs time to fix it. Republican pollster Jim Hobart noted that voters trusted Trump on the economy in 2024, giving him “some patience.”

The Bigger Picture: Policy vs. Perception

Here’s the crux: Biden’s policies laid a foundation for recovery, but Trump’s tariffs have introduced new risks. The April jobs report offers hope, but experts warn of deeper issues if tariffs persist. Public perception, however, is shaped by messaging. Trump’s team uses Biden as a scapegoat to deflect criticism, while supporters focus on positive indicators to bolster their faith in Trump.

Let’s Reflect: What’s Your Take?

At InsightOutVision.com, we’re all about sparking thoughtful discussion. So, let’s reflect: Can an economy be blamed on a predecessor 100 days into a new administration?

How much do Trump’s tariffs versus Biden’s policies shape today’s challenges? And how long should a new president get a pass before owning the economy—good or bad?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your perspective!