🔥 Trump Declares Economy “A++” as Farmers Collapse, China Walks Away, and Healthcare Costs Explode

Donald Trump’s White House is once again in full damage-control mode after the former president declared the U.S. economy “A++” and claimed it has “never been better.” The remark, made in a Politico interview, immediately triggered a wave of pushback as economic data, farmer bankruptcies, and rising healthcare costs paint a sharply different picture for millions of Americans.

To reinforce Trump’s claim, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that China has “begun purchasing American soybeans again” thanks to Trump’s leadership. The statement was quickly challenged by critics and agricultural experts, who note that China purchased roughly 27 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans under President Biden—before Trump’s renewed trade war drove those purchases to zero.

The reality on the ground for farmers is grim. Trump’s tariffs sparked retaliatory trade deals between China and countries like Brazil and Argentina, permanently displacing U.S. producers from key markets. Multi-year soybean contracts once held by American farmers were handed to foreign competitors, creating losses that extend well beyond a single growing season.

Rather than restoring those markets, the administration has turned to massive bailout packages. Trump officials celebrated billions of dollars in “relief” for farmers, funded by tariff revenue. Critics argue this is not an economic victory but an admission of failure—public money used to offset damage caused by the trade war itself. Many farmers say they don’t want bailouts; they want stable markets and predictable trade.

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin highlighted the human cost, sharing the story of a soybean farmer losing $85 per acre planted this year. The losses are not theoretical. They threaten multigenerational family farms already struggling with rising input costs, shrinking export access, and collapsing margins.

At the same time, healthcare affordability is reaching a breaking point. Nearly one-quarter of U.S. farmers rely on Affordable Care Act exchanges for coverage, yet premium tax credits are set to expire within days. Enrollment is already dropping sharply as families conclude they simply cannot afford coverage without subsidies.

Critics say Trump’s economic messaging follows a familiar pattern: deny reality, blame Democrats, and distract from unresolved crises. While farmers face bankruptcies and families risk losing health insurance, Republicans continue to promise a replacement healthcare plan that never materializes—echoing Trump’s long-standing “two weeks away” refrain.

As tariffs disrupt trade, bailouts replace markets, and healthcare costs surge, Trump’s “A++ economy” claim is colliding with lived experience. For many Americans, the issue is no longer partisan rhetoric but survival—access to healthcare, reliable income, and an economy that works beyond headlines and press briefings.