Facing questions about President Biden's economic performance as he gears up for the 2024 election, White House officials defended his record against public skepticism. During a press briefing, Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton emphasized the administration's achievements, citing a drop in unemployment from over 6% when President Biden took office to historic lows currently. She also highlighted an 11-month decline in inflation and the rapid recovery of the U.S. economy compared to other major global economies, attributing these gains to the President's leadership.
This defense comes in response to polls indicating that a significant portion of Americans believe former President Trump handled the economy more effectively. One reporter questioned whether simply highlighting past actions would suffice in light of these polls. Dalton countered by pointing to the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration.
The briefing followed a similar exchange the previous day, where Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that Americans feel more secure about their finances under President Biden's leadership, citing job growth and rising wages. This statement sparked online criticism, with some social media users suggesting that only a select few have benefited from the current economic policies.
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) voiced his disagreement on Twitter, citing high inflation, negative public sentiment about the country's direction, and a lack of emergency funds for many Americans as evidence of the administration's economic failures.
