At a Pittsburgh rally on Thursday evening, former President Barack Obama took aim at one of Donald Trump’s key campaign pitches—that he was the mastermind behind America’s economic success. Obama dismantled the claim, arguing that Trump simply took credit for the economic foundation he had built during his presidency.
“Some think, I remember that economy when he first came in being pretty good,” Obama told the crowd. “Yeah, it was pretty good—because it was my economy. It wasn’t something he did. I spent eight years cleaning up the mess that the Republicans had left me.” His words resonated with the audience, challenging Trump’s narrative that he had single-handedly rejuvenated the nation’s economy.
Obama’s critique comes amid reminders that while the economy did continue to grow under Trump, his presidency also witnessed one of the most significant economic downturns in U.S. history. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the U.S. economy was devastated. Supermarkets faced severe supply shortages, and unemployment skyrocketed to 15 percent, reported Reuters.
It wasn’t until President Joe Biden’s term that the job market began to recover, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Former Obama strategist David Axelrod joined a CNN panel shortly after the rally, offering high praise for Obama’s speech. Axelrod highlighted Obama’s heartfelt defense of American democracy and his ability to connect with audiences in a way few others can.
“I don’t care who you are or what you knew or didn’t know walking into that room: that speech was a riveting speech,” Axelrod remarked. “That speech was a value-laden speech. That speech was rooted in truth and facts, but the value-laden piece of it was the most important.” Axelrod, who has worked closely with Obama, emphasized the former president’s commitment to hope and optimism in his public addresses.
“I’ve always said, and I think this is something that President Obama believes strongly, is that democracy is a battle between cynicism and hope. He’s always chosen the hope side of that equation, and that is infectious.” He added that Obama’s style is less about making speeches and more about having a genuine conversation with his audience.
“He doesn’t give speeches; he gives talks. He has a conversation with the audience, and it’s very, very effective.” Obama’s message, focusing on economic realities and democratic values, underscores the former president’s continuing influence in American politics. By directly challenging Trump’s narrative, Obama aims to remind voters of the broader story behind the nation’s economic journey and inspire confidence in Democratic leadership.