Rove urges Trump to end economic claims

Karl Rove called on President Donald Trump to stop “gaslighting” Americans about the economy on Friday, after the former president told reporters at Joint Base Andrews that the U.S. economy was thriving “unbelievably” from a Wall Street perspective. Rove said the president should begin telling the truth about rising prices and the impact of the war in Iran on the domestic economy. The exchange was broadcast on Fox News, where Rove urged Trump to stop “flooding the country with false optimism.”

The criticism comes as inflation has climbed to its highest levels in a decade, with the consumer price index up 3.6% in July and food and gasoline prices rising sharply. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been caught in a broader geopolitical flare‑up with Iran, which has increased uncertainty in global oil markets and raised fears of a supply shock. Trump’s remarks were meant to reassure markets, but many economists point out that GDP growth has slowed, unemployment remains above pre‑pandemic lows, and wage gains have not kept pace with price hikes. Rove’s warning highlights a growing rift within the Republican Party over how to frame the economic record in the run‑up to the 2024 election.

Rove, a former White House adviser and a key figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign, has long been a critic of Trump’s messaging style. In his Fox News interview, he described the president’s statements as “deliberate misinformation” that undermines voter trust. Trump defended his comments by saying that “the markets are the best gauge of a healthy economy” and that he is “not lying.” The backlash from Rove may energize moderate Republicans who fear that Trump’s rhetoric could alienate voters in swing states, while hard‑liners view Rove’s criticism as an attack on the president’s leadership.

What happens next is unclear. Rove’s remarks may influence GOP strategists to recalibrate their economic messaging ahead of the midterms. Congress is scheduled to hold hearings on inflation and supply‑chain issues later this month, and the debate could spill over into the campaign trail. Trump’s next move will likely involve either a sharper defense of his economic narrative or a concession to the pressure from within his own party. The outcome could shape how the Republican Party presents its economic platform in the 2024 election cycle.