President Trump delivers remarks on the economy in Rome, Georgia — 2/19/2026

Key Concepts

• Economic Revival Under Trump: The central theme is the claim of a significant economic turnaround during Trump’s presidency, attributed to policies like tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation.
• Tariffs as a Key Tool: Tariffs are presented as a crucial instrument for protecting American industries, negotiating trade deals (particularly regarding drug prices), and generating revenue.
• Contrast with Biden Administration: A consistent and stark contrast is drawn between Trump’s economic policies and the current economic situation under President Biden, often characterized as disastrous.
• “America First” Agenda: The rally reinforces a nationalistic “America First” agenda, emphasizing domestic interests and protectionist measures.
• Political Rhetoric & Attacks: The event is heavily laden with strong political rhetoric, personal attacks on opponents, and unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

Economic Policies & Achievements (Trump Administration)

The rally heavily focused on economic achievements attributed to Donald Trump’s presidency. A core argument revolves around the revitalization of American manufacturing, specifically highlighted by the case of Kusa Steel Corporation in Rome, Georgia. Kusa Steel nearly closed due to competition from subsidized foreign steel (primarily from China) but recovered after the implementation of Trump’s tariffs, now operating with a seven-month backlog. Trump repeatedly emphasized tariffs as his “favorite word in the dictionary,” implementing 50% tariffs on foreign steel and expanding them to 400 derivative products to combat “dumping.”

Trump presented a series of economic statistics, including claims of more Americans working than ever before, over $18 trillion in investment commitments secured during his administration (compared to less than $1 trillion under Biden in four years), 53 all-time stock market highs adding $9 trillion in value, and the creation of over 5,000 manufacturing jobs in Georgia. He acknowledged an initial exaggeration regarding inflation, correcting it to 48 years, but suggested it could be the worst ever. Gas prices were cited as falling from over $5 a gallon under Biden to $2.37 (and as low as $1.85 in some areas). He also boasted cutting 129 regulations for every one new regulation approved, and highlighted 100% expensing for businesses.

Further economic initiatives promoted included tax cuts enacted during his first term and the establishment of “Trump Accounts” – tax-free investment accounts for children, initially funded with $1,000 per newborn and supplemented by private investment (with a $6.25 billion contribution from Michael and Susan Dell). He also touted “Most Favored Nation” agreements that he claims are slashing drug prices by 400-600% through tariffs and negotiations with countries like France and Germany, detailing a threat of a 100% tariff on French wine and champagne. Hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff revenue were collected, with $12 billion allocated to farmers.

Economic Claims & Updates (Current Situation)

Trump continued to emphasize economic improvements, contrasting the current situation with his administration. He claimed core inflation is at its lowest in over seven years, with the last three months showing 1.4% inflation – the lowest in over a decade. He attributed previous high inflation to the Biden administration, calling it a “conj job.” He highlighted decreases in costs across various sectors, including airfares, hotels, car payments, rent, groceries, dairy, eggs, potatoes, and chicken.

He asserted real wages plummeted $3,000/year under Biden but have increased under his policies, outpacing inflation by over $1,400 for typical workers, $2,200 for minors, and almost $4,000 for factory workers. He criticized insurance companies, claiming their stock prices have risen significantly while healthcare costs remain high, proposing direct healthcare payments to individuals. He also attributed rising housing costs to the “Biden border invasion” and claimed securing the border has halted this influx, citing a 30% increase in new mortgage applications and assistance from Fannie and Freddy Mack to 22,000 first-time homebuyers in Georgia. He announced an executive order banning Wall Street firms from buying single-family homes.

Political Rhetoric & Policy Proposals

The rally was characterized by strong political rhetoric, with Trump repeatedly attacking President Biden as “Sleepy Joe” and characterizing his administration as disastrous. He criticized Democrats for opposing his policies and alleged voter fraud, advocating for voter ID and an end to mail-in ballots, and made claims about the FBI raiding a Fulton County storage house and Democrats attempting to hide ballots. He framed the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement as a positive force, dismissing attempts to “stop MAGA” as opposition to American greatness.

He emphasized border security as crucial for economic stability and controlling housing costs, claiming zero illegal border crossings in the last eight months. He also highlighted an executive order banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes as a victory for ordinary Americans seeking homeownership. He questioned the authenticity of official documents signed by Biden, referencing the use of an “autopen.”

Support & Endorsements

Trump received endorsements from several Georgia politicians, including Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones, Congressman Brian Jack, and Clay Fuller, a district attorney, emphasizing their commitment to an “America First” agenda. He also shared a personal anecdote about a constituent’s daughter receiving a “pardon” for detention, establishing a direct connection with the audience.

Conclusion

The rally served as a platform for Donald Trump to reiterate his economic accomplishments, contrast his policies with those of the Biden administration, and rally support for future elections. The core message centered on the claim of a successful economic revival under his leadership, driven by protectionist policies like tariffs and a commitment to “America First” principles. The event was heavily infused with political rhetoric and attacks on opponents, reinforcing a narrative of economic strength and nationalistic sentiment.