Political strategist Mark Penn said Monday on Fox Business that President Donald Trump can turn around his poor economic polling if he “sells the facts” to the public.
A majority of Americans now rate the economy negatively, with most saying it has worsened since Trump took office, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll. During a discussion on “Kudlow,” Penn said Trump’s path to improving his weak economic ratings depends on changing public perception.
“Unlike in the Biden administration, you need the facts. If you have the facts, you’re going to have to sell the facts because the economy is as good as people perceive of the economy. Unless there’s an incredible economic catastrophe or some incredible economic thing the other way, within the normal range of even 4% growth,” Penn told host Larry Kudlow.
Penn explained that public perception of the economy often hinges more on media coverage than on personal experience.
“Most people cannot tell whether or not there’s three people unemployed they know or four people unemployed they know. They cannot tell the difference. They get it from the media. And so in the last Trump administration, they successfully convinced everybody that the economy was great,” Penn said.
He added that Trump faces a familiar political dilemma: strong economic indicators paired with skeptical public opinion.
“I’ve seen the situation, frankly, a number of different times. I had it with President Clinton, where everybody thought the economy was bad. The economic numbers were great. And so in the State of the Union, we challenged the media, and we had the economists ready to go. And so we had all the documentation. And we went out, and six months later, everybody thought the economy was great,” Penn added.
Media outlets have warned that Trump’s tariffs could raise prices and curb holiday spending, but consumers don’t appear fazed. A Gallup poll shows Americans still plan to spend an average of $1,007 on gifts this season.
Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the Gallup survey indicates strong consumer sentiment across the U.S. He said Trump’s economic policies, including tax cuts and lower interest rates, are fueling growth by giving Americans more disposable income and confidence to spend.
“American consumers are benefitting from a wealth effect, where if they feel wealthier, they will spend more and create more economic growth,” Ortiz said. “The record high stock market, falling interest rates, rising real wages, tamed inflation, low gas prices, and the Big Beautiful Bill’s tax cuts are all contributing to stronger American consumers with more disposable income who are driving the economy forward.”
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https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/03/mark-penn-advises-trump-reverse-bad-economy/
