Maria Bartiromo argued on Fox Business that the U.S. economy is strong and called public concerns about affordability a politically motivated "hoax." Polling shows only 36% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the economy, and about half say his policies have hurt them. Bartiromo repeated administration claims of nearly $18 trillion in new investment, a figure that exceeds the White House's own $9.6 trillion tally of pledged (but not legally binding) investments. Critics, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, say the administration’s rosy portrayal is out of step with voters feeling economic pressure.
Maria Bartiromo Calls Affordability Claims a 'Hoax,' Declares 'The Economy Is Doing Well' on Fox Business
Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo told viewers that the U.S. economy under President Donald Trump is strong and dismissed widespread public worries about affordability as politically driven rhetoric.
Recent polls show many voters remain skeptical of Mr. Trump’s economic stewardship. A Fox News poll last month found just 36% of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, and roughly half of respondents said Trump’s policies have personally hurt them. Still, when asked this week what grade he would give the economy, Mr. Trump responded, "A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus," adding that "prices are coming down substantially."
On Friday’s Hannity, host Sean Hannity pointed to falling gasoline prices and asked Bartiromo for her assessment. She began by criticizing the Biden administration’s period of high inflation and argued that the administration’s energy message and increased oil supplies under the Trump presidency helped restrain price pressures.
"There are certainly commodities that are still high. People are frustrated with housing and the price of homes. People are frustrated with certain food items. But there are a number of things that President Trump has already been incredibly successful doing.
So, when he says this affordability issue is a hoax, he’s right! He’s basically talking about how the Democrats have taken this word 'affordability' and used it as their calling card for the 2026 elections. ... I gotta tell you, I don’t think the people really feel as bad as the Democrats are talking about."
Bartiromo summed up the segment bluntly: "The economy is doing well."
She also echoed Mr. Trump’s headline-grabbing claim about foreign investment, repeating an assertion that roughly $18 trillion in new investment has flowed into the United States. That figure exceeds the total the White House itself has cited: a $9.6 trillion tally that news organizations and analysts have noted represents pledged or discussed investments rather than binding commitments.
Observers have flagged specific examples of the gap between headlines and legally enforceable deals. For instance, a widely publicized Saudi pledge of $1 trillion would be nonbinding and is roughly equivalent to Saudi Arabia’s entire gross domestic product, making it an especially uncertain source of dependable new capital.
Notably, criticism of the administration’s upbeat framing has come from both opponents and some Republicans. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said this week, "You can’t gaslight people and tell them that their bills are affordable, and you can’t tell them that the economy is in A+++. You just can’t do that, and I think it’s insulting to people’s intelligence."
What This Segment Shows
The exchange illustrates the disconnect between the administration’s optimistic messaging and persistent public concerns about affordability. While officials emphasize falling prices and large pledged investments, many voters continue to report real economic strain on housing, groceries and household budgets.
Watch the segment via Fox News.
