President Donald Trump is closing out 2025 by touting a massive economic surge, with the U.S. GDP growth rate jumping 79% since the end of the Biden administration. While the previous administration ended with a 2.4% growth rate, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that Trump’s policies have pushed the economy to a booming 4.3% annualized rate in the third quarter of 2025.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett credited the expansion to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” alongside strategic deregulation and a push for energy independence. The administration argues that by rolling back environmental and banking regulations while lowering energy costs, they have unleashed a “Golden Age” of domestic productivity.
A major pillar of this growth has been the administration’s aggressive tariff policy. Despite warnings from critics, the higher rates on imports have coincided with a narrowing trade deficit and a boost in domestic manufacturing. Supporters point to these numbers as proof that protecting the domestic market is working to stimulate the American economy.
The “drill, baby, drill” energy strategy has also paid dividends for American consumers. Brent crude oil prices have dropped from an average of $81 per barrel in 2024 to $69 in 2025, leading to significant relief at the gas pump. Additionally, interest rates have seen a 100-basis-point drop since January, falling to a range as low as 3.5%.
Wall Street has responded to these “economic surprises” with record-breaking enthusiasm. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones have all climbed between 14% and 18% this year. This “wealth effect” has bolstered 401(k)s and portfolios across the country, increasing consumer confidence as the 2026 midterm elections approach.