US, Trump blames Biden for falling GDP: ‘We inherited a disaster’

President revives tariffs and promises recovery as economy scores -0.3% in Q1 2025

Donald Trump is back to attacking his predecessor Joe Biden after the release of preliminary figures that signal a 0.3% contraction in US GDP in the first quarter of 2025. The president, who took office in January, claimed he had ‘inherited an economic disaster’ and relaunched his protectionist policy as a solution to revive growth.

In a post on Truth, Trump wrote: ‘I did not take office in January 2025. Tariffs will go into effect soon and companies are starting to return to the US. We will prosper, but we need to get rid of the Biden surplus.’ He added: ‘It will take some time, but when the boom starts it will be like no other.’

During the cabinet meeting, the president reiterated that the previous administration was to blame for the economic slowdown: ‘These are numbers from the quarter, it’s Biden. He was destroying the economy.’ He also vindicated the effectiveness of the tariffs, claiming that the US has already ‘collected $8 trillion’.

The trade confrontation with China remains central to Trump’s strategy. ‘The Chinese are doing terrible,’ he said, ‘factories are closing because we don’t buy their products. I’m not happy, but every country has to treat us with respect’.

According to the Commerce Department, the drop in GDP – the first since 2022 – coincided with a 32% drop in consumer confidence and would be exacerbated by the increase in imports, linked to the imminent entry into force of tariffs. The International Monetary Fund meanwhile revised its growth forecast for 2025 downwards: +1.8%, compared to the +2.7% estimated in January.

At the same time, Trump announced that he was considering legal action against the New York Times, accusing it of ‘election interference’ in connection with the coverage of his lawsuit against Paramount, the owner of CBS. He called the conduct of the 60 Minutes programme, accused of favouring one of his political opponents, ‘illegal’.

‘What they have done is among the most egregious wrongdoings in broadcasting history,’ Trump wrote, concluding, ’It is critical that these liars and crooks be held accountable.’

THE LATEST NEWS

• International-News

Obama says aliens exist, denies secrets in Area 51

15 Febbraio 2026

Former US president speaks during a podcast interview, mixing statements and irony about extraterrestrial life Obama statement during podcast interview...

Read More

• International-News

Israel Defense Forces soldiers evacuated after crowd incident in Bnei Brak

15 Febbraio 2026

Tensions in the ultra-Orthodox city near Tel Aviv after reports of draft order delivery spark protest Two IDF soldiers were...

Read More

• International-News

Putin accused of poisoning Navalny, scientific evidence confirmed by the UK

14 Febbraio 2026

The UK announces evidence confirming the use of a lethal nerve agent against Alexei Navalny while he was detained in...

Read More

• International-News

Bannon Epstein messages reveal plan against Pope Francis

14 Febbraio 2026

The Bannon Epstein exchanges revealed by US Justice Department documents detail discussions about efforts targeting Pope Francis. Justice Department documents...

Read More

• International-News

Iran regime mass killing justification claims in leaked video

13 Febbraio 2026

Leaked footage allegedly shows a regime security strategist defending mass killings during anti-government protests, according to activists Leaked video and...

Read More

• International-News

New Epstein revelations and scrutiny on Prince Andrew

13 Febbraio 2026

Royal family highlights charity and social causes as attention returns to Epstein documents and links to the former duke. New...

Read More

(Photo: © AndKronos)