President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a new message to the Supreme Court after the American economy grew at a faster pace than analysts had expected in the third quarter of the year, according to new data from the Commerce Department.
The president wrote on Truth Social, “The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED…AND THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER! Also, NO INFLATION & GREAT NATIONAL SECURITY. Pray for the U.S. Supreme Court!!! President DJT”
Why It Matters
In November, Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments in a case challenging Trump’s executive authority to impose tariffs—his signature economic policy—without congressional approval. The court expedited the case after a request from the Trump administration. A ruling, which has not yet been issued, could reshape a central pillar of the administration’s economic agenda.
What To Know
The U.S. economy expanded more sharply than expected in the third quarter, even as debate continues over the effects of Trump’s tariff-focused trade strategy.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis said Tuesday that real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent from July through September, up from 3.8 percent in the second quarter and reversing a 0.6 percent contraction in the first. It was the strongest growth since the third quarter of 2023 and came in above economists’ expectations of a 3.3 percent gain.
The third-quarter uptick was fueled largely by stronger consumer spending, increased government outlays, and a rebound in exports, according to the BEA. Meanwhile, business investment slowed and imports fell at a more modest pace.
The report lands at a politically sensitive moment for Trump, who has repeatedly framed tariffs as a catalyst for domestic production and stronger economic performance. Critics, however, argue that tariffs raise costs for consumers and can contribute to broader price pressures.
The stronger data may help ease immediate recession fears and could influence the Federal Reserve’s thinking on interest-rate cuts as policymakers continue weighing inflation risks. Still, some economists caution that growth could cool in the fourth quarter, citing the economic drag from the prolonged government shutdown and signs of consumer fatigue.
Recent surveys highlight that unease. Consumer confidence has slipped close to its lowest level since the U.S. imposed broad tariffs on trading partners in April, according to the Conference Board. Separately, LendingTree reported that nearly half of respondents plan to spend less on Christmas gifts this year, pointing to higher prices tied to tariffs. Economists say the pattern reflects a “K-shaped economy,” where higher-income households can more easily absorb rising costs while lower-income Americans face sharper affordability pressures.
What People Are Saying
Stephen Stanley, chief U.S. economist at Santander, told the Associated Press: “The jump in consumer spending reminds me a lot of last year’s fourth quarter. Consumers were stretching. As was the case entering this year, households probably need to take a breather soon.”
Trump echoed his earlier message in a separate post, writing: “The TARIFFS are responsible for the GREAT USA Economic Numbers JUST ANNOUNCED…AND THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER!”
He followed with another claim about forecasting the surprise report: “60 of 61 Bloomberg Economists got it WRONG, but ‘TRUMP,’ and some other Geniuses, got it right,” adding, “The Trump Economic Golden Age is FULL steam ahead.”
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in the coming months on whether Trump can impose tariffs without congressional approval—an outcome that could carry major consequences for both trade policy and the scope of executive power.
In the meantime, the administration is likely to continue arguing that the tariffs are boosting growth, while legal experts and lawmakers await clarity on whether the court will uphold or limit a core element of Trump’s economic program.
