An Economic Reality Check In Texas

Recently when he was asked to rate his handling of the economy, President Trump opted to give himself the highest of grades with an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.” And while the president believes in his economic strengths, millions of Americans and Texans disagree. 

New polling from the Associated Press and the University of Chicago shows some startling metrics for the administration. According to their latest tracker, just 31 percent of Americans approve of the president’s handling of the economy. Overall, just 36 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s general handling of the presidency.

For a president who likes to boast that the economy was what brought him into the White House for a second time, Trump appears loathe to acknowledge any financial hardships for Americans. In fact, he’s gone so far as to call affordability a “hoax.”

And in an address to the nation, Trump attempted to further articulate that an economic boom is just around the corner. In his televised speech, Trump also claimed the last eleven months “have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history.” Trump also emphasized that the American people will begin feeling the impacts of his policies next year. That might be cold comfort for those who are truly feeling the impacts of his economy now.

No state is perhaps feeling the economic pinch quite like Texas. And that’s in large part due to the expected major increase in health care costs. Over 3.7 million Texans are likely going to lose their enhanced Affordable Care Act tax subsidies according to data compiled by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization.

Texas, which is one of the few states that never expanded Medicaid, will likely have residents that on average will see their monthly health care premiums increase by 216 percent. And then there’s the thousands of Texans who will likely forego health care altogether in 2026.

Health care isn’t the only field where Texans are hurting. Inflation has been a major concern throughout the state. Rising prices are likely why attendance at this year’s State Fair was at a ten-year low.  

The increased costs from tariffs have also been hurting Texans and companies based in the state. The Dallas Fed Report recently published new findings that showed nearly half of companies surveyed reported rising input prices. And places in Texas that import from around the world have acutely been feeling the impacts of tariffs.

While 2025 is nearly over, next year could very well bring even more economic hardship to Texas, regardless of what the president said in his speech.  Whether or not Trump ever deviates from his A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus grade of the economy remains to be seen