If you’ve been paying attention to mainstream media lately, you might think the U.S. economy is teetering on the edge of a cliff. With every headline screaming “recession,” it’s hard not to feel a sense of impending doom. Yet, a closer examination of the data reveals a much different picture—one that contradicts the narrative being pushed by some outlets. The facts show that the economy, while facing challenges, is far from the collapse the media would have you believe. A closer look at the key economic indicators—inflation, unemployment, gas prices, the stock market– challenge the media’s recession claims, and paint a picture of an economy recovering from four years of Biden-era socialist economic policies.
Recent media narratives point to what they keep saying as “troubling signs,” claiming that a recession is inevitable. They report that the GDP contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first decline since early 2022. This, combined with a Moody’s downgrade of the US credit rating due to rising federal debt and fiscal deficits, has the media ginning up fears of an economic meltdown. They harp on consumer confidence concerned about inflation, tariffs, and global instability. All these factors are a residual of the Biden administration. Debt and deficits skyrocketed under Biden. His economic policies slowed GDP after a successful first Trump administration. Constant negative reporting about inflation, tariffs influences public opinion. The Biden left Trump with a world totally destabilized with wars and terror.
The media conveniently overlook the broader context behind these indicators. Yes, a decline in GDP and lower consumer confidence can be unsettling, but these are not the only measures of a healthy economy. The mainstream narrative tends to focus on the negative without presenting a balanced view, leaving out critical details that paint a different picture. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by just 2.3% year-over-year in April, This is a marked improvement from the hyperinflation seen in previous years. The unemployment rate has remained steady at 4.2% in April 2025. Job growth added hundreds of thousands of jobs each month this year. The average price of gasoline in April stood at $3.17 per gallon down from $3.66 a gallon a year ago. And Trump is negotiating positive trade and peace agreements at a fast pace.
There’s a deliberate effort to shape public opinion by framing the current economic conditions as disastrous, especially as the country moves closer to the 2025 election cycle. By highlighting negative reports and ignoring positive indicators, the media is skewing public perception, gaslighting with a sense of crisis where none exists. It’s crucial to critically evaluate the information presented. Don’t be swayed by sensationalized headlines or political agendas. Understanding the full scope of economic data, and not just the cherry-picked bad news, can help you see the truth behind the headlines. 1 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us not to be deceived by misleading narratives: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”
Sources:
https://gasprices.aaa.com/gas-prices-creep-up-along-with-demand/
https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/
