Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) praised President Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve for the resilience of the U.S. economy during an interview on Fox News Channel’s America Reports on Friday. While acknowledging weaknesses in the latest jobs report, Kennedy emphasized that America’s economy remains strong compared to global competitors and credited conservative fiscal policy for delivering a soft landing.
Kennedy noted the job market is softening, with businesses creating fewer positions. He admitted the latest jobs report was “not good,” but highlighted that unemployment remains steady at 4.2% and GDP growth is tracking at about 3% annually. Inflation has also declined significantly, falling from 9% to between 2.5% and 3%, according to current estimates.
The Louisiana senator commended the Federal Reserve for managing interest rates effectively. He said many economists expected high unemployment to accompany inflation control, but the U.S. economy has avoided that outcome. “We’ve had a soft landing,” Kennedy said. “The economy’s still doing pretty good.”
Kennedy gave specific credit to President Trump for economic strength, saying his leadership and policies played a significant role. He also acknowledged congressional efforts, including a major reconciliation bill passed under Republican leadership, which has yet to take full effect.
Turning to trade policy, Kennedy pointed out the uncertainty surrounding tariffs. He explained that businesses are holding back on significant investments until more clarity emerges. “That’s holding our economy back a tad,” he said, though he added that no serious negative consequences from tariffs have yet materialized.
Kennedy emphasized that tariff talks are spurring international dialogue on fair trade. “We have had other countries willing to talk to us about reciprocity,” he stated, describing the current approach as “so far, so good.”
The senator underscored that despite economic challenges, the U.S. remains ahead of countries like Canada, China, and those in Europe. He reaffirmed his confidence in the American economy, pointing to its relative strength and resilience through challenging fiscal conditions.
