Sen. Markwayne Mullin told CNN that some Americans are being "impatient" about economic progress and defended President Trump's record, saying "everything's moving in the right direction." He pointed to job gains and lower gasoline prices, and used an "aircraft carrier" analogy to describe slow but steady improvement. Independent polls, however, show widespread concern: 92% say the cost of living is a serious problem, 61% are unhappy with the economy, and Trump's economy approval sits at 36%.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin Says Americans Are ‘Impatient’ as He Defends Economy: “Everything’s Moving in the Right Direction”
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) pushed back on CNN criticism Wednesday, saying some Americans are being "impatient" about economic progress and insisting that "everything's moving in the right direction." Mullin made the remarks during an interview with CNN anchor Jake Tapper on The Lead.
Mullin was responding to a Quinnipiac University poll that found 92% of Americans consider the rising cost of living a serious problem and that 57% of respondents blamed President Donald Trump rather than former President Joe Biden for the current state of the economy. Mullin cited recent job reports, falling gasoline prices and other economic indicators as evidence the situation is improving.
"Everything's moving in the right direction," Mullin said. "The thing is that sometimes the American people, they get impatient."
He offered an extended analogy to illustrate his point: while a small boat can "turn on a dime," an aircraft carrier takes much longer to pivot. Mullin said that, in his view, President Trump inherited an economy that needed to be rebuilt after four years under the Biden administration, and that restoring it requires time.
"So it's amazing what the Biden administration took four years to destroy, President Trump's been able to build back in eleven months, and we continue to see better reports every month," Mullin added.
But recent public-opinion surveys suggest a more mixed picture. An NPR/PBS News/Marist survey this month found 61% of Americans unhappy with the economy — up four points since May — and recorded President Trump's approval on the economy at just 36%, his lowest level in any term.
Context
While Mullin highlighted positive indicators such as job growth and cheaper gas, multiple polls show strong public concern about the cost of living and declining confidence in Trump's economic stewardship. The contrast underscores how economic data and public sentiment can diverge in political debate.
