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Trump Blames Democrats for Economic Slowdown Amid Shutdown

2/20/2026

43 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Democrats for their role in a 43-day government shutdown linked to funding disputes over healthcare and immigration, saying it cost the economy two percentage points in GDP.
The last quarter of 2025 saw 1.4% annual GDP growth, short of the 3% analysts expected.
Full-year 2025 growth was 2.2%, down from 2024’s 2.8%, with spending cuts cited as a contributor under the Trump administration.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Democrats for their role in a 43-day government shutdown linked to funding disputes over healthcare and immigration, saying it cost the economy two percentage points in GDP.
The last quarter of 2025 saw 1.4% annual GDP growth, short of the 3% analysts expected.
Full-year 2025 growth was 2.2%, down from 2024’s 2.8%, with spending cuts cited as a contributor under the Trump administration.