, Columnist
Trump's First Year Echoes Obama's Record on the Economy
The two presidents are in a dead heat in terms of gross domestic product and real consumer spending.
Passing the torch.
Photographer: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesThe first year of Donald Trump's presidency was marked by some of the worst political turbulence in modern U.S. history. But when it comes to the economy and markets, the surprise is how little change, good or bad, has occurred.
Let’s start with economics. The prevailing view is that conditions have improved over the past year. I’ve compared the performance of some indicators during Trump’s first year to the averages for President Barack Obama’s first and second terms.